"I'd sit here, just with my back turned or eyes closed if you're worried about privacy," Zeddicus replied. "If you're still worried about it, I'll still get the bandages," he added, giving Nathaniel's hands a light squeeze. "As for the second thing um… you called me… dad earlier? I didn't mind that… Or if you'd rather not, then Zedd works I guess…" He sounded a bit hopeful at the first suggestion. It meant he was doing a good enough job to be seen as a father figure, right?
Nathaniel flushed red when Zedd mentioned that he'd called him dad earlier during his meltdown. Oh my god. Did I really? He seems to like it, though… "Ah, right… um… I-I guess that would be okay…" He fidgeted nervously, struggling to meet Zedd's eyes. "We'll still need the bandages once I'm dry, though… presumably, anyway…" He looked down at the small wounds on his arms, clearly unnerved and disturbed by them being there.
Zedd nodded. “It’s up to you. If you don’t trust yourself yet, we can wait to try a bath,” he said. He gave a small tap on the underside of Nathaniel’s chin to get him to look up. “Don’t look at them for now, okay? We’ll get them feeling better in no time.”
Nathaniel looked up at Zedd meekly. "U-Um… I… I think I'd prefer to just do the bandages right now, if that's okay…" He curled the tips of his wings around himself as a sort of shield despite how useless his crumpled feathers were. "I just… I kinda just wanna lay down and not think about things for a while…"
Zedd stood and grabbed the bandages as well as a bottle of his own healing potion. “Remember, it’ll sting a bit before completely numbing,” he warned as he gingerly took one of Nathaniel’s arm. He frowned as he focused on cleaning the wound quickly, then wrapping the bandage before the smaller boy could take back his arm. “Did you want to lay down in your own room or mine?” Zeddicus asked quietly.
Nathaniel winced when Zedd started cleaning his arms, but managed to keep quiet. "Um… y-yours, preferably… I don't wanna be alone…" He replied softly, toying with his bandages a bit once they were on. "I'm very sorry, sir…" He murmured. "Um… for everything…"
(Thank you for reviving thissss. I've missed this!)
“Stop. I don’t want you to apologize for what just happened. It was a lot to keep to yourself. You need to talk to someone before it gets that bad though,” Zeddicus replied, tone serious but concerned. He noted Nathaniel messing with the bandages, but he had them on secure enough that it wouldn’t matter if the boy touched them.
(Haha, sorry! I had a lot going on as I’m working and I have a family vacation this week haha)
Nathaniel nodded weakly and looked down at the floor. "Talk to who? I've already talked to you about it and I don't really know anyone else…" He sighed softly and started fidgeting with his wingtips instead.
“I meant as in telling me sooner, but that’s a good point. You might need someone who really knows how to help you,” Zedd thought out loud. It was sad to think a kid so young might need PTSD therapy. The man shook his head. “We’ll think about that later. You still wanna lay down for a bit?” Zedd asked gently.
Nathaniel nodded again and held his bandaged arms up to Zedd. He was trembling lightly and just generally looked defeated. His expression was so broken and helpless and he really just needed to be held. "Who would I talk to other than you?" He asked quietly.
(Bby need hugs)
Zedd carefully scooped Nathaniel into his arms and brought him across the hall to his bedroom. Setting the boy down on the bed, he sat beside him. “Someone trained to help people with this sort of thing. Therapy probably,” he replied with a hum.
(Bby)
Nathaniel crawled into Zedd's lap and clung to him, huddling as close as he possibly could. "H-How are they supposed to help me?" He asked. "What's wrong with me?" He seemed pretty nervous after that question, fidgeting a bit with his hands.
“It’s so you can have someone to talk to who would have better answers than I can give,” Zeddicus replied softly, resting a hand on the small boy’s back. He gave a soft frown before giving in and simply holding Nathaniel in an embrace. “And… wrong wouldn’t be the right word. It’s like a mindset thing. Some people need help to keep positive.”
Zedd nearly wanted to shake his head. It was such a vague way to explain depression and anxiety. Mental issues in general even. Stars, he was bad at being a dad.
Nathaniel wrapped his arms around Zedd's neck and clung tightly to him with a wavering breath. "B-But I don't know anyone down here but you…" He replied softly, his voice breaking and fading. "What… w-what if they're dangerous?" He asked as he looked up at Zedd. "What if they hurt me? Why can't I just talk to you instead? Don't you have a potion that can fix me?"
“If they dare hurt you, I’ll kill them,” Zedd muttered. “Uh, not literally,” he added quickly. At this rate, he’d sound like a criminal if he kept talking like that. “And… as much as I wish I did, potions can only do so much,” the man said, holding Nathaniel close. He ran a few fingers through the boy’s hair, now seeing how soft it was. “If… if they think you need it… there’s medicine that can help you?”
Nathaniel purred weakly when Zedd started toying with his hair, huddling closer to the man for comfort. "Okay… if you think I need that, I'll take your word for it. When should I go? Will you go in with me? I don't wanna do it alone, dad…"
(You guys are so close to making me cry)
(I'm not gonna break today)
“We’ll think about it when you’ve calmed down a bit. Since you’re so young, I’m pretty sure I’m required to come with you,” Zedd replied, still caught a bit off guard with the soft trills Nathaniel was making. He continued trying to help the boy relax anyways, relieved he was doing at least somewhat of a good job. “Even if I wasn’t, I would stay if you wanted me to.”
"Mm… okay…" Nathaniel huddled closer to Zedd, curling his wings tightly around himself to feel more secure. "Can… um… can we go lay down now, please? I just… yeah…" He sighed shakily. "I don't wanna think about anything right now… I just wanna go sleep for a while…"
At that moment, Zedd let himself lay back onto the mattress, Nathaniel still in his arms. “Yeah. You’ll need it after all that,” he said, taking a strand of Nathaniel’s hair and twirling it around a finger a moment before letting it go. He also removed his arms in case Nathaniel wanted to scoot up and into the blankets to rest on his own.
(You guys are so close to making me cry)
(I'm not gonna break today)
(Tomorrow then-)
Nathaniel whined softly when Zedd let go of him and huddled up against him again, trembling lightly. "P-Please don't leave me…" He whispered shakily with his face buried in Zedd's chest. He couldn't stand to feel alone at the moment. He needed to know Zedd was there at all times. "I… I'm sorry, b-but I just… I c-can't… I need you…"
(You guys are so close to making me cry)
(I'm not gonna break today)(Tomorrow then-)
(Definitely today)