Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

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[phaselocknroll]

[ When she was sure he wasn't going to die on her, she'd slipped back to town for their things, and to see if there was much around by way of food. A risk to leave him unattended, but she had faith in her speed, and she honestly expected him to be out for the next while.

She's just outside the den when he wakes, and it's hard to miss the sound of him struggling to breathe. She rushes in, knapsack and bow slung over her shoulder, a dead rabbit dangling by the ears in one hand. ]

Peter?

[ she sets their things aside, and crouches next to him. Her tattoos are already glowing, and she rests her hand on his chest again, letting her magic heal and soothe. ]

Easy. You're okay. Just breathe.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Her magic is oddly cool and warm as it courses through his system, flows just beneath his skin, and the weight on his chest lifts slowly. The pain ebbs, his body relaxes, and he has the distinct impression that his bones have become liquid.

He does as directed, though: he just breathes, trying to ignore the pervasive ache. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe.

The funny thing is, he doesn't remember screwing his eyes shut until he's opening them, looking up at her through a half-lidded gaze. ]

Maya? [ His throat feels raw, like it's been coated with gravel, and his voice certainly matches that sensation. The memory of the attack floats its way back to the surface and he frowns at her, suddenly concerned. ] You're okay?

[phaselocknroll]

[ She smiles at him in an attempt to be reassuring, but it's so hard to watch him be in this much pain. If she'd been more aware, if she'd been faster, then none of this would have happened. ]

I'm fine, I promise.

Please don't strain yourself. That lightning strike was nasty.

[nostalgiabomb]

What, from that guy? [ His voice is still hoarse, only just above a whisper, but he tries for a cooky smirk, because she looks-- he thinks she looks upset, almost. But she's trying to hide it. Maybe she's pissed at him for being a liability? For being weak? He had been pretty useless, after all. ]

Nah, it's nothin'. Had worse.

[phaselocknroll]

That guy was Sophis' little brother, and probably one of the most powerful wizards the Order has to offer.

You're lucky to be alive.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ -- Okay, she's definitely pissed at him, then.

He turns his head away a little, chagrined, and swallows thickly. ]

... Sorry. I-- [ He exhales slowly. ] ... sorry.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She's quiet for a moment or two, watching him. ]

Why did you push me out of the way?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He ventures a glance up at her, brows furrowed in thought and the corners of his mouth turned down a little. His eyes wander, trying to dredge up the memory. He had a reason, he remembers. What was it again? ]

... You were in trouble. [ He says it slowly, but after a beat of silence, it's clear that it's the only answer he has to offer. ]

[phaselocknroll]

You really are a damn fool. I would have been fine.

[ again, she falls quiet, eyes searching his face. She doesn't look angry, just contemplative. Maybe a little hesitant. ]

... No one has ever done that for me before.

[nostalgiabomb]

Yeah?

[ He can't help it -- he smirks a little. ]

Well. Never been struck by lightning 'fore.

[phaselocknroll]

If I have my way, you never will be again.

[ she glances down at his chest, at the angry red marks that her magic did nothing to diminish. ] You're going to carry that for a while.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He follows her gaze and seems to notice the scars for the first time, tentatively feels along them with the tips of his fingers. He laughs a little, then lets his head fall back. ]

Nice story, at least. "Got stupid, tried protectin' a Siren."

[phaselocknroll]

... Thank you, by the way.

It was stupid and ill-advised, but I appreciate the gesture.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs another laugh and lets his eyes slip closed for the moment. ]

Stupid's what I do.

[ He shifts, trying to get more comfortable, but a thought occurs to him. ]

Guy taken care of?

[phaselocknroll]

He won't be following anybody anymore. [ there's something very final about the way she says that ]

... I caught a rabbit earlier. Are you hungry?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ ... he forgets how scary she can be, sometimes. But he doesn't really want to ask for the details, not right now, anyway.

He thinks he should probably eat something, so he just nods. Then after a second, ] We have any water?

[phaselocknroll]

[ she goes to where she left his things and retrieves a skein of water, her rabbit and a knife. The water she offers to him, one he takes it, she sits down and begins prepping the rabbit to cook. ]

If there's anything else you need, please let me know.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He sets aside the skein once he's taken a few greedy gulps, then lies back. He watches her work for a while, then he says quietly, ]

... 'M sorry. Not much help, am I?

[phaselocknroll]

[ She glances up from her work, brow furrowed ]

What makes you say that?

[nostalgiabomb]

Wasn't thinking. Fucked up. [ Something constricts in his chest. Breathe in, breathe out, Peter. Breathe. ]

Must be really regrettin' this contract, huh? Glorified nursemaid.

[phaselocknroll]

Stop. Stop that line of thought this instant.

You have only ever treated me as a person, as a partner, and I wouldn't trade that for anything- in your world or mine. Don't think that I regret having met you when hours ago I was terrified of losing you.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He stares at her for a long while (breathe in, breathe out, just breathe, just breathe) but eventually he turns his head to stare at the ceiling of the little cave.

He doesn't believe her, and he feels a twinge of bitterness at the realization -- because for a second, he wanted to. He likes Maya, really likes her, considers her a friend when he hasn't had a real one since he was a child. He was stupid enough to take a blow meant for her, and something in his gut sinks when he thinks that if he had to repeat the day, he'd do it again. He doesn't want to see her hurt.

But why should she feel the same about him? The closest thing he has to a family anymore is the Ravagers, and none of them would shed a tear if he was lost, would in fact divvy out what paltry belongings he had left behind, if they hadn't done so already. And Maya is under an obligation to him; she has to protect him because of their contract, and she's a Siren, leads men to their doom--

-- No, no, that's the Ravager voice, and Peter needs to stop listening to it.

He doesn't know if it's the way his head is throbbing in time with his heartbeat or if it's the all-encompassing ache of his body that has scrambled his thoughts, but obviously he's not thinking clearly right now. ]

... Tired. [ He digs the heels of his palms into his temples. It's a ridiculous cop-out, and he knows it, but he can't deal with this right now, and he shifts slightly away from her. ] Sorry, just-- tired.

[phaselocknroll]

[ Something about the way he avoids acknowledging what she just said- which was no small confession on her part- and the way he scoots away from her, well, it hurts.

No one wants the friendship of a demon, a Siren least of all, and maybe she was foolish enough to interpret his kindness as friendship. She'd forgotten that deep down, he fears her and what she can do. Even now, he doesn't trust her. And why should he, when she'd made it clear that their contract was the only thing keeping her from turning her magic on him?

And as much as she hates herself for even comparing Peter to him at all, at least Sophis had made it abundantly clear that he had never wanted to be her friend in the first place.

For the first time since she'd been freed from the relic, she suddenly feels very alone. Her eyes flick down to her work, fingers flexing around the hilt of the knife. ]

I understand. [ she keeps her tone neutral, uninterested. ] Get some rest.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ At the very least, he wasn't lying when he said he was tired; still, he tries to stave it off as long as possible, tries to puzzle out the weird feelings floating in his head, thoughts like weakness and hated and useless and friendship.

He feels his lids dropping as he's examining the cracks in the cave wall, and after a few moments his breathing evens out as sleep pulls him down like an undercurrent. ]

[phaselocknroll]

[ She finishes her work with the rabbit by the time he drops off, and figures she may as well have it cooked and ready for him when he wakes.

As the night wears on, she still works on healing him in increments- it wouldn't do to stretch herself thin, but she wants to make sure he's okay. They still have an agreement, after all.

She tries not to dwell on their conversation, tries not to watch him as he sleeps and wonder just how she misjudged this so badly. She tries not to wonder what it would be like if he'd never found her at all.

She doesn't succeed, but she tries all the same.

Sunrise finds her just outside of their hiding place, sitting in quiet contemplation in the early morning light. She needs some space, but she doesn't want to leave him totally unguarded. This was the best compromise she could think of. ]