Seeking Refuge

[Nox]

Nox was tired. It had been a long day. And he had to check the weaves which he always did except he couldn't do that cause he couldn't fucking channel. It was frustrating watching Bruno do what he used to be able to do. "It's okay, man, you can go. I got this. Go home. Was a good night."

Nox forgot his coat as he left. It wasn't habit to grab his things, he was used to not bringing one. But he didn't go back for it, he had others at home he could use to get it tomorrow.

Sky buzzed the door open as he headed inside quickly. Nox was grateful the walk wasn't long. He expected to see Hayden waiting but he was surprised to find Rachel and Elyse there too. He wasn't really in the mood to entertain. He wanted to to his room. Nox wrapped his arm around Elyse and gave her a hug. He gave Rachel a smile. "Hey Rachel. You remember me?" Nox moved around to the fridge running his hand along Hayden's hip as he passed. He just wanted to go to bed. But he got the left overs out and started pulling out a tray to warm it in.

Hayden took things away from Nox with a gentle press of his hands. "You go I'll nuke it. No one else cares but you. I'll be back in a minute."

Nox took a long look into Hayden's eyes to try to see if he was planning on staying or going. "I'll be back in a minute. Promise." Hayden whispered the last word.

Nox nodded and tapped the counter. "I'll see you ladies in the morning." or whenever he got up.

Nox stopped to check on Lily who was soundly asleep in her crib. He didn't need the monitor, Sky would wake him if she woke up and he didn't hear. But first he needed another shower, he hated the smell of the club on his skin.

[Nox]

Nox (and Hayden eventually) continuing here

[Elyse]

Nox came in, and there was recognition in Rachel’s eyes. She didn’t say anything though. She was still upset. Upset would probably be her mood for quite a bit, but since her moods weren’t swirling as they had before, Rachel’s scent was easier to manage. She was mostly confused and scared.

But it was truly Hayden’s scent that surprised her. How it had changed when when he saw Nox and became slightly stronger as Nox touched him. The corner of Elyse’s lip curved into a slight smile then. But there Hayden was, trying to play host. Hayden’s feelings explained a lot. The littlest of ones was why he had been still here - distracting himself with a video game.

Nox left and Hayden started to put food in the microwave. Elyse was fine, she wasn’t hungry, but Rachel had slept most of yesterday. She would be hungry. And really Elyse didn’t need any help. She could handle this.

”Ive got this, Hayden,” she said, her voice soft and honest. ”We’ll just have some food, get to know each other and head back to bed.” She leaned in, her voice almost a whisper. ”It will probably be better for her with less people too. I’m okay.”

Her last words were a comment on her mental state. She didn’t know if Hayden would believe her or not, but it was the truth. She was good, and Rachel seemed to be trusting her. She could handle this.

[Hayden]

Hayden popped the food into the microwave. He remembered living like this more times than not throughout his life. Though the food was far better than when he was doing it for real. Nox probably didn't have an easy go to microwave meal in the house. These kids were never going to know what it meant to eat cold cereal for dinner because the Nanny forget you existed, or that your parents forgot the Nanny walked out. It didn't really matter, these kids would have it great even if they lived in the Red Light District with a guy who didn't care if his clothes had holes in them. They would live like kings and queens for as long as Nox could handle it.

Which right now looked a little more like it might not last long. He wasn't rude but he wasn't a people person before, his lack of feeling didn't give him any more manners than he had before, though he was far more careful about his word choices Hayden noted.

Elyse told him she'd be okay. "You know where to find me if you need me." Hayden grabbed a couple of bottles of water from the kitchen and an couple oranges from the basket on the counter. Nox wouldn't be getting up to make a steak aftewards but he didn't want him to have to come out for a snack either, "Night ladies." he said as he headed back towards Nox's room. That hadn't been awkward at all.

[Rachel Shale]

Nox came in and left and then Hayden left too. The room felt less stifling then. It wasn’t that Rachel didn’t like them - she hardly knew Nox - and had a feeling she wouldn’t remember Hayden later - but she was having trouble keeping everything in check. She was feeling overwhelmed.

Elyse was helping. Her voice was calm and soothing as if there was an understanding between them. A beep caused Rachel to jump and she realized it was a microwave. Elyse moved and Rachel followed, not letting go of the other woman. Elyse got the food from the microwave, then led her to a table and led her to sit.

Elyse let go, and Rachel immediately pawed for her. ”Its okay, Rachel honey, I’m just getting a chair so I can sit right next to you.”

Soon Elyse was back at her side and held her hand. Rachel began to eat the food in front of her. The first thing she noticed was that the food had flavor. That seemed strange. Why would that matter? The first bite reminded her that it had been a long time since she had a meal. She began to eat faster.

”Slow down. Don’t want to get sick,” Elyse’s voice was sweet and Rachel listened.m, seeing the sense in it. She also got to enjoy the food - which also seemed foreign to her.

Rachel noticed Elyse wasn’t eating. ”Do you want some?” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

Elyse shook her head, but smiled. ”Im good, ate already.”

Rachel felt herself smile and even the muscle movements felt weird. ”Its really good, you should have a bite.” Rachel said extending her fork with some food on it.

Elyse smiled and took a bite. ”It is really good.”

Then suddenly, it hit her. Lucio had always gotten her food. Lots of it. She had needed the food - for sex. That’s it. It was always for sex. She hadn’t enjoyed food since she had met him, and now she was eating with a woman she hardly knew. Rachel started to cry as she put her fork down.

”Elyse - what’s wrong with me,” Rachel said through tears. ”I love him. I don’t want to, but I do. It hurts.”

She felt Elyse’s arm around her. ”I know. It’s a lot.” she heard Elyse sigh, gathering herself. ”I’ll tell you some, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. Lucio - he was a person with the abilities to influence people’s emotions. He wa doing that to you. It’s why now you’re having trouble regulating yours. It’s why you’re confused and scared.”

Rachel let that sink in. A lot now made sense. She had remembered shortly after meeting him when she had panicked. She had known then something was wrong, but quickly had forgotten that. ”I was so stupid…after Cruz and I broke up.”

”Not stupid. Hurting. He could feel that. He took advantage of your pain. I’m very sorry, Rachel.”

Rachel nodded. It made sense. ”So what happens now,” she said, her voice worried.

Elyse squeezed her tight. ”Nox has spoken with your sister and brother-in-law about how to handle it - im sure. I’m sure they have a plan. It’s not going to be easy. You’re going to want him even as you don’t.”

Rachel shook her head. ”I can’t do it. It’s too hard.”

Elyse let go and Rachel almost scrambled until she felt Elyse’s hands on her face. Rachel looked into those bright golden eyes, but she wasn’t afraid. Not then. ”You can. And you’re not alone. You have your sister and her husband. You have another sister too right? You have your friends. We will help you get through this.”

”I don’t have friends! And I lied to my family! They can’t help me!

Rachel’s voice held more venom than she intended, but Elyse wasn’t phase by it. ”Your family loves you. I saw it. They will help you. That’s what family does,” Rachel saw something in those eyes then. Something had happened to Elyse in that moment. As for friends,”[/color] her voice softened. ”You have me. And you’ll get to meet Anna soon. You have Nox and Hayden. So many who want to be there for you. You can do this. Maybe not alone. But you’re not alone.”

”I can do this?”

”You can do this.”

Rachel smiled through the tears. ”I can do this.” and as she returned to eating, she actually began to believe it.

[Elyse]

It was when she had said “that’s what family does” that Elyse realized she was saying a lot of the things that others were saying to her. It was when it finally clicked that these people were her family. They had done so much for her. All of them. She realized then too that she was ready to talk to Ashton and to truly apologize to him - not out of guilt, but out of remorse for what she had said to hurt him.

She needed to focus on Rachel now who was at least understanding that her ex had been a monster. Rachel ate and Elyse sensed a resolve to try to get better in her. That was a big step for her. After she ate, the pair went back to the couch. Rachel snuggled in next to her.

”Elyse, I’m scared,” she said.

”I know.”

”Why are your eyes gold?” she asked and Elyse smiled.

”Ill tell you sometime. Right now you have enough new information to digest,” Elyse found herself stroking her hair. ”Rest is what you need most of all. You should try to go back to sleep.”

”Okay,” Rachel said, her voice tired. She surprised Elyse when she moved to lay down on the couch. Elyse went with it. The couch wasn’t meant for two to lay down on, but they made it work. ”I don’t want to be alone.”

Elyse wrapped her arm around Rachel. ”I’ll be right here when you wake.” It wasn’t long before Rachel fell asleep. Elyse laid awake a little longer before she followed.