@ElderGodSwimwithGamers group
"It's okay, no one is going to ask you to see him before you're ready. You don't have to go anywhere near him." Gloria gently have Nix a hug, rubbing his back with one finger.
"It's okay, no one is going to ask you to see him before you're ready. You don't have to go anywhere near him." Gloria gently have Nix a hug, rubbing his back with one finger.
"W-What if I'm never ready? We have to live in the same house! I-I can't avoid him! Should I leave?! Should I go live out alone in the wilderness?! In the cave?!" He asked, clearly distressed.
"There are three people in this room right now who won't let Halm anywhere near you, and I'm sure the goddess won't either. All of us are going to work to keep you safe, okay?" Zachary looked up, nodding with a firm look in his face. Halm wasn't getting anywhere near Nix.
Nix nodded weakly. "Okay, o-okay, I just… I-I dunno…" He sighed. "I don't feel safe around him right now… what we had was so great, y-you know? And then he just… he did this…"
Gloria nodded.
"He hurt you so much," she said softly. "And we're not going to let him anymore." She gently ran her fingers through Nix's hair.
Nix nodded again, hiccuping a bit. "W-Where did the other goddess go…?" He asked weakly. "She's been gone a while…"
"I think she went to deal with Halm," Gloria said after a moment. It wasn't long before the door was opened, and the goddess walked in. She was wiping her hands off a bit with a cloth.
"How do you all feel about starting with me for a bit, sweeties?" The goddess asked gently.
Nix nodded a bit, as did Cas. "T-That would be great… thank you, ma'am." Cas replied weakly.
"Should… should we go now?" Nix looked over at the goddess, still holding tightly to Gloria. "Is that even something we're allowed to do? We're his claimed, after all…"
"Yes, we're going now. I don't want you boys to have to be anywhere near Halm right now." Serna stepped over, already picking Zachary and Cas up to set in the wheelchair.
"And you're allowed to, don't worry. Do any of you need coats? It's getting chilly outside."
Cas and Nix both nodded quietly, Cas huddling closer to Zachary when they were set down. Nix hesitantly slipped off the bed and came over to hold tightly onto Serna's hand, rubbing at his eyes with one fist.
Zachary wrapped his arms around Cas again, kissing his cheek lightly. Gloria stood, looking at Serna a moment before going over and taking the handles of the wheelchair. Serna held Nix's hand in turn. She led them out of the room, keeping herself between Nix and the bathroom. Gloria pushed Zachary and Cas behind, moving to keep up. Serna stopped by the closet on the way out, pulling out big warm coats for Cas and Nix.
They both pulled them on and Nix returned to Serna's side, his ears turned back a bit. "H-How far away is your home, ma'am…?" Nix asked meekly, holding a bit tighter to her hand as he asked. Cas closed his eyes and buried his face in Zachary's shoulder, trembling lightly.
"It's far," Serna admitted. "Is that good for you?" She held Nix's hand, rubbing the back with her thumb. "I can carry you if you want, sweetie." Zachary rubbed Cas's head, kissing him lightly again.
Nix nodded, quietly holding his arms up to Serna. He liked being carried around anyways, so he wouldn't mind the help. Cas gently returned the kiss before hiding his face again.
Serna carefully picked Nix up, holding him to her side. She held both arms around him, rubbing his back gently. She moved to leave, carrying Nix outside. Gloria pushed the other two behind, keeping as close to Serna as she could manage. Zachary ran his fingers through Cas's hair. They'd promised Cas he would be safe in this house, but now they were fleeing it. For the reasons he'd come here in the first place.
Nix huddled closer to Serna when they headed outside, shivering a bit at the cold despite his big coat. He curled his tail around himself and exhaled shakily. Cas shivered as well, clinging tightly to Zachary.
Zachary wrapped his arms around Cas as best he could to keep the other warm, kissing his head occasionally. He just wanted to keep Cas safe. Serna, thankfully, was just as much of a personal heater as Halm, if not more. She led them down the main pathway for quite some time.
Nix eventually drifted off into a light sleep in Serna's arms, soothed by the goddess's warmth. He kept his tail curled around her arm so it wouldn't get in the way. Cas stayed silent during the entire trip, mostly keeping his face hidden in Zachary's shoulder.
Serna stayed quiet as they walked, rubbing Nix's back gently as he slept. Eventually they arrived. It was a homely place, except for the large laboratory connected to it. Serna took one hand from Nix and opened the door. Gloria pushed Zachary and Cas inside.
Nix stirred a bit when the door opened, but he didn't quite wake up. Cas sighed softly in relief when they entered the warmth of the house and relaxed considerably, although he was still noticeably shivering.
Serna stepped in behind them, closing the door.
"I'll get your rooms ready," she said. "Why don't you wait it here to warm up a bit?" She stepped away, still holding Nix. Gloria brought Zachary and Cas to the couch, then grabbed the blanket from it and offered it to Cas.
"O-Okay… thank you, ma'am…" Cas curled up in Zachary's lap with the blanket wrapped tightly around himself. Nix yawned a bit and nuzzled into Serna sleepily, tear tracks staining his pale cheeks.
Zachary kissed Cas again, keeping him so close. Gloria sat down on the couch, worried looking. Serna gently reached up to wipe Nix's cheeks. She then touched the wall of her hallway, making two new rooms. One for Cas and Zachary, the other for Nix.
Cas's skin was freezing to the touch and he was still shivering, sticking as close to Zachary as he could. "I-I dunno how you guys aren't freezing…" He whispered. Nix held tightly to Serna, purring weakly when she touched his face.
Zachary let out a soft sigh. He was used to it. And Gloria was a soul, the temperature didn't really affect them. Zachary wrapped the blanket tighter around Cas, slipping his own warmer hand in to rest against Cas's chest. Not as warm are the others, but still warmer than most. Serna cupped Nix's head when she finished, moving back out to the living room.
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