Vex & Vax (backdated 11/12)
Nov. 11th, 2017 03:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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ax_mainVex attempts to reason with Syldor, but he's still against sending her to school. Upset, she manifests her powers for the first time, and then summons her brother to come prove she's not dreaming the whole thing.
Vex was on her best behavior all day. She feigned polite interest in conversation, spoke highly of her father, and offered no weighted opinions on subjects discussed in her presence. She’d even danced with some important son of so and so. That last part could have been nice had she not heard the boy’s friends daring him to ask her with accompanying rude speculation. Despite this, she smiled the entire time, engaged in vapid conversation, and then politely parted ways. She deserved a medal for her performance at this gala.
Unsurprisingly, Syldor and Devana were unmoved by the effort. There was nothing special about behaving the way she was supposed to. When they arrived home Syldor moved to leave, forgetting entirely his agreement to talk when they were home.
“Father,” Vex called, her voice wavering on the word.
Syldor's fingers paused on the cufflinks he'd been working loose as he left the foyer. He turned in the doorway, frowning slightly at the interruption. "Oui, Vex'ahlia," he sighed. "What is it?"
She should have known better. Carefully she asked, “May we talk about school, please?”
Inwardly, he sighed again. This again. Always this. First Vax'ildan and his mischief, and now his sister wanted in on it too. He might need a drink for this. "Come into the study," he instructed her, leading the way, and heading for a decanter of cabernet behind his desk.
Vex followed sedately. She looked at the available seating and decided to sit in the center of the small sofa, letting her dress fan out around her. She kept her back straight, looking as elegant and well-mannered as she could feign. No fidgeting. No backing down. She could do this.
She waited for Syldor to fill his glass before volleying. “I am grateful to be home with you, but I’d like to revisit the offer to join Vax in New York. We know that I share the same mutant gene as my brother. I could manifest any day. I would feel better if I was there to handle it.”
"I know no such thing," Syldor told her stiffly as he turned to face her. God, but she did look...so much like her mother sometimes. The shock of it forced him to take a breath before continuing. "You have this gene, perhaps, but there is no lab nearby willing or possibly able to test for such a thing. We do not even know if Vax'ildan's illness is caused by a gene - we've only private research to account for such a thing."
Vex raised her chin, but forced back her disgust at the word ‘illness’. She could play this by the rules of his world. Stay calm. Stay rational. Bank the fire inside her. “We’re twins. There’s little reason to doubt the professor’s research. We’re the same, whether it’s genetics or environmental—we’ve lived the same life, been exposed to the same things. Do you want me here so badly you’d risk someone getting hurt?”
Even as Vex asked it, she knew there was no winning answer to the question. She was playing her heart against his pride, and she lost both ways. A part of her might hope he wanted her here because she was his daughter, but she doubted it. This was his control at risk, not their relationship.
Syldor's jaw tightened at the realization of what she was doing. Yes. She was very like her mother. "And what do you think might happen if I let you two loose on the world, hm? You might join this...this Magnet person in his wild crusade. God knows your brother may have already. Do you know what that would do to me? To us? Velora would most certainly suffer for the fact that her half-blood are...are..."
“Do you think so little of us?” Vex asked, tone slipping as she looked at her father in disbelief. “I will never side with a monster that thinks one group of people is superior to others.”
The question was enough to catch him off guard. The statement too. He had expected another childish quip, or a pout, or a snide comment. He found himself watching her quietly, brooding over his options. Finally, he gave a slow shake of his head.
"No. I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to do this. It is bad enough that we must avoid the topic of your brother. You are building a reputation for yourself here. You are, at last, achieving the education you should have always had. I will not cut short your future before we know for a certainty that you are...a mutant."
Vex set her jaw and took a slow, forced breath. Her nails dug into her palms. “Okay,” she finally said. “Do you promise you’ll send me when my powers manifest?”
"If. Such a thing should occur, we will talk about it. My colleague assures me that this Xavier fellow is credible, at least. If you wish to pursue schooling with him at such a time, we shall see what can be done," Syldor agreed reluctantly.
That was such a politician answer Vex nearly threw her hands up. She smoothed her dress and stood. “Okay. Will I see you again this week, or will you be traveling?”
"I leave tomorrow, but I should be back by the weekend," Syldor told her, finally lifting the glass of wine to his lips.
That was as far as she’d push tonight. She didn’t feel like wasting breath. Let him think he’d won this argument for now. She’d wreck the house if she had to.
Vex inclined her head. “I’ll see you then. Good night.”
He watched her go, hand tightening briefly on the glass before turning away. "Goodnight, Vex'ahlia."
Vex waited until she was locked in her room before fishing her personal phone out. She sent a text to her brother, When Percy’s a smoke demon is he corporeal enough to smash things?
r u thinking of smashing things? came the reply, faster than it probably should have. Which meant that Vax had probably already had the phone in his hand.
Vex sat down to unstrap her shoes and tossed them across the floor. His response deserves property damage. Maybe I’ll feign terror while it happens, see if he feels anything.
The phone was silent for a good thirty seconds, then Vax replied, then we do it. fuck him. u tell me when and i'll get Percy there. The angry purple imp emoji was tacked on to the end.
Won’t be home for another week, she replied. Maybe next weekend. We can discuss this week.
whatever u need, came the reply, though behind it was that lingering bitchiness at their father fucking with her and continuing to string her along.
Vex squeezed the phone and then sent back. Love you.
love u too, Stubby. call me later, her phone buzzed a moment later.
Will. I’m off to shower away today’s pageantry. Give Percy and Yana my love. Be good. Vex popped her phone onto the charger and went to peel out of the many layers of gown.
***
When Vex crawled into bed she wrapped herself in a cocoon of blankets and pulled them over her head to hide. She gripped the charm on her necklace, a little golden bear that Vax had stolen for her ages ago. As she often did when she was upset, she rubbed her thumb over the ridged surface, her skin warming the metal as she clutched tightly.
You’ll stay with me, she thought, squeezing the necklace.
Vex imagined she wasn’t alone, that her trinket was a real bear, strong enough to protect her, but small enough to hold tight. She was so focused on the feeling that it wasn’t the furry mass appearing in her bed that startled her. It was the baby bear licking her face.
Vex yelped and threw the covers back. The bear made a distressed sound at her alarm. Vex stared and reached for her necklace again, but the charm was missing. The bear made a softer, worried sound.
“Hush, darling,” Vex said apologetically. “It’s okay. I’m sorry.” She reached over. “You… you startled me.”
The bear wobbled over, tripping over the tangle of sheets and falling into Vex’s lap. She slipped her arms around him, fingers sliding through his fur. The cub nuzzled close, grumbling approval. He felt real.
“Either I’m sleeping, crazy, or I’m a mutant,” Vex murmured.
She waited until the bear was curled up and napping on her lap before she reached for her phone and took a picture. She texted it to Vax.
Do you see this?
It took a minute or two for any reply. On Vax's end, that minute was spent fumbling for the phone in his pocket, then staring at the screen while trying not to choke on his dinner. Wtf did u do??? Did u rob a zoo? I mean cool if you did but dad is gonna shit himself (laughing emoji)
Vex sighed relief at the confirmation. Narrowed down to dreaming or mutant. She stroked the bear’s head. “I think I’ll call you Trinket,” she murmured.
To her brother she explained. He was my necklace. I’m not sure if I can turn him back.
Sorry wut?
I don’t want to wake him, but I wonder if I could transform something else.
That bear was ur wut??
Necklace. The charm you gave me. He’s so cute, is Yana home? Or that other girl? Could you come do you think?
I’ll be there. But no serious. U turned ur (bear emoji) necklace into a real (bear emoji)? That’s fucking wild. Can I tell Percy?
Yes, and yes. He’s so beautiful. The bear.
Also Percy
Go find a teleporter!
Brt. Wut do bears eat?
Fish? Meat? We can figure out later. Come confirm I've not been dreaming this whole time.
***
An hour later Vax appeared in the alleyway behind a familiar bakery shop in Shoreditch - one open all night long, serving primo coffee. He'd left Clarice with as many pounds as he had on him, then disappeared into the shadows, making the blurred, mind bending journey through the shadows across London to Kensington Gardens. Appearing in his sister's room, however, brought him to a halt, seeing an odd tangle of furniture and items wrapped up in themselves on one side of the room, like jungle vines - only...not.
Percy had warned him that Vex might be asleep by the time he got there, so he was quiet as he approached the bed, his gaze sweeping the covers for the form of a small bear.
Trinket was curled up in Vex’s arms, his fuzzy face tucked against her neck. Vex hadn’t quite fallen asleep so she peeked up at Vax as he walked over. “Hello,” she said drowsily. She sat up, lifting the bear as she did so. “Congratulations, you’re an uncle.”
Vax paused at the edge of the bed, blinking, staring the bear cub in its adorable, sleepy eyes. "Holy shit."
Vex smiled and shuffled over to pass Vax her bear. “Trinket, say hello to my brother.”
Suddenly, Vax had his arms full of bear cub, and his heart just...melted. He cradled the cub in his arms, suppressing the sudden desire to dress the bear up in a ridiculous outfit, like pet owners loved to do with their animals. "You named it Trinket?"
“Yes, because I’m a fool and I named him before making sure he will stay.” Vex pressed a kiss to her brother’s cheek. “Time to test a theory.” She went to retrieve her knife from the chair, concentrating on putting the vines back into the knife. After an initial struggle as she tried to figure out logistics, the vines went slack, and then poofed out of existence.
Vax watched her curiously, carefully nuzzling the bear's (Trinket's) ear. "Well. There goes the speedster idea," he breathed, watching her seemingly magic something away. (His sister was magic. Perfect.)
Vex turned and threw the dagger at the bedpost furthest from Vax. She was pleased when she managed to strike it, and doubly pleased when vines sprang out and wrapped around the post. Trinket squirmed at the thwack if the knife.
“Sorry, buddy,” Vex crooned. She went over to ruffle his fur. “I just want to make sure I can bring you back.” She kissed the bear’s head, then her brother’s. “Speed would have been boring. This is so much better.”
Vax blinked at her, then looked at the knife. "I'm taking the vines coming out of your knife to mean that you can bring him back?"
“I think so.” Vex pushed her brother on to the bed and then crawled on with him. She wrapped tightly around him, cradling one arm around Trinket.
Vax settled with her, supporting the bear in one arm and slipping his other around her to pull her close. "Are you going to try it?"
“Probably should.” She hugged them both. “I want to go home with you,” she murmured quietly. “This has to be enough, right?”
"Come home with me," Vax agreed quietly. "Clarice can take us both. And...you know, the bear."
“That won’t work in the long run. You know what he was like when he found us.” She tucked her cheek against Vax’s shoulder. “Although he’s not here this week. But if I disappear someone would say something.”
"Fuck him!" Vax hissed. "I can hide you from him. Let him try to come for us."
Vex considered seriously. “I don’t know what’s the right call. Running away, or facing him. I feel like... if I run away, I will always be running. I don’t know why I care. It’s not like we’ve known him long.”
Vex was exhausted, feeling the drop at the end of an eventful day. At the reminder of the way Syldor referred to Vax, how he shipped her brother away with no compunction, a spark of her anger rekindled. She was selfish. Vex didn’t want Syldor to write her off completely. As if his opinion mattered. He’d never given Vax a chance.
”I don’t understand why he made this so difficult,” Vex said softly. ”I know we’re not what he wanted, but he claimed us. What is the point of finding a father if he can’t just love us?”
Vax stroked her hair. He thought he knew the answer to that, but he didn't feel like sharing. "You're exhausted. It's the middle of the night and you've been throwing your ... magic? around everywhere. Let's try putting the bear back, then I'll stay with you. I'll call Clarice and let her know to head home without me."
“I love you.” Vex knew it was the right call. She was so grateful that he was here. She pulled Trinket up and kissed the top of his head. “Time to sleep now, darling. I’ll bring you back as soon as I can.”
Vax sat back, releasing the bear to his sister with a quiet watchfulness. It was clear that she'd become attached to the bear in a short time, but he didn't blame her, not after what she'd been through. Reaching for his phone, he dialed Clarice's number, explaining the situation and thanking her for the ride.
Putting Trinket back into the necklace was more difficult than releasing the vines from the knife. She had no idea what she was doing. It might also be how many times she’d tried out her new trick tonight. When the bear disappeared and the familiar weight settled at the hollow of her throat she sagged. Vex touched her necklace and then wrapped around her brother.
“We owe Yana and Clarice a very large fruit basket.”
Vax drew her in against his chest and leaned back against the headboard. "Yeah. Or something."
“Text Percival that I’m keeping you?” Vex murmured. She snuggled against him, eyes slipping shut.
Vax used his free hand to open his phone, sending a quick text:
Then he slipped the phone into his pocket and wrapped his arms around her. “Done.”
Vex burrowed against him. “Miss this.” She was starting to drift.
"I do too," he murmured softly, cradling her against his chest as he let his eyes slip closed. "I love you."
Vex was on her best behavior all day. She feigned polite interest in conversation, spoke highly of her father, and offered no weighted opinions on subjects discussed in her presence. She’d even danced with some important son of so and so. That last part could have been nice had she not heard the boy’s friends daring him to ask her with accompanying rude speculation. Despite this, she smiled the entire time, engaged in vapid conversation, and then politely parted ways. She deserved a medal for her performance at this gala.
Unsurprisingly, Syldor and Devana were unmoved by the effort. There was nothing special about behaving the way she was supposed to. When they arrived home Syldor moved to leave, forgetting entirely his agreement to talk when they were home.
“Father,” Vex called, her voice wavering on the word.
Syldor's fingers paused on the cufflinks he'd been working loose as he left the foyer. He turned in the doorway, frowning slightly at the interruption. "Oui, Vex'ahlia," he sighed. "What is it?"
She should have known better. Carefully she asked, “May we talk about school, please?”
Inwardly, he sighed again. This again. Always this. First Vax'ildan and his mischief, and now his sister wanted in on it too. He might need a drink for this. "Come into the study," he instructed her, leading the way, and heading for a decanter of cabernet behind his desk.
Vex followed sedately. She looked at the available seating and decided to sit in the center of the small sofa, letting her dress fan out around her. She kept her back straight, looking as elegant and well-mannered as she could feign. No fidgeting. No backing down. She could do this.
She waited for Syldor to fill his glass before volleying. “I am grateful to be home with you, but I’d like to revisit the offer to join Vax in New York. We know that I share the same mutant gene as my brother. I could manifest any day. I would feel better if I was there to handle it.”
"I know no such thing," Syldor told her stiffly as he turned to face her. God, but she did look...so much like her mother sometimes. The shock of it forced him to take a breath before continuing. "You have this gene, perhaps, but there is no lab nearby willing or possibly able to test for such a thing. We do not even know if Vax'ildan's illness is caused by a gene - we've only private research to account for such a thing."
Vex raised her chin, but forced back her disgust at the word ‘illness’. She could play this by the rules of his world. Stay calm. Stay rational. Bank the fire inside her. “We’re twins. There’s little reason to doubt the professor’s research. We’re the same, whether it’s genetics or environmental—we’ve lived the same life, been exposed to the same things. Do you want me here so badly you’d risk someone getting hurt?”
Even as Vex asked it, she knew there was no winning answer to the question. She was playing her heart against his pride, and she lost both ways. A part of her might hope he wanted her here because she was his daughter, but she doubted it. This was his control at risk, not their relationship.
Syldor's jaw tightened at the realization of what she was doing. Yes. She was very like her mother. "And what do you think might happen if I let you two loose on the world, hm? You might join this...this Magnet person in his wild crusade. God knows your brother may have already. Do you know what that would do to me? To us? Velora would most certainly suffer for the fact that her half-blood are...are..."
“Do you think so little of us?” Vex asked, tone slipping as she looked at her father in disbelief. “I will never side with a monster that thinks one group of people is superior to others.”
The question was enough to catch him off guard. The statement too. He had expected another childish quip, or a pout, or a snide comment. He found himself watching her quietly, brooding over his options. Finally, he gave a slow shake of his head.
"No. I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to do this. It is bad enough that we must avoid the topic of your brother. You are building a reputation for yourself here. You are, at last, achieving the education you should have always had. I will not cut short your future before we know for a certainty that you are...a mutant."
Vex set her jaw and took a slow, forced breath. Her nails dug into her palms. “Okay,” she finally said. “Do you promise you’ll send me when my powers manifest?”
"If. Such a thing should occur, we will talk about it. My colleague assures me that this Xavier fellow is credible, at least. If you wish to pursue schooling with him at such a time, we shall see what can be done," Syldor agreed reluctantly.
That was such a politician answer Vex nearly threw her hands up. She smoothed her dress and stood. “Okay. Will I see you again this week, or will you be traveling?”
"I leave tomorrow, but I should be back by the weekend," Syldor told her, finally lifting the glass of wine to his lips.
That was as far as she’d push tonight. She didn’t feel like wasting breath. Let him think he’d won this argument for now. She’d wreck the house if she had to.
Vex inclined her head. “I’ll see you then. Good night.”
He watched her go, hand tightening briefly on the glass before turning away. "Goodnight, Vex'ahlia."
Vex waited until she was locked in her room before fishing her personal phone out. She sent a text to her brother, When Percy’s a smoke demon is he corporeal enough to smash things?
r u thinking of smashing things? came the reply, faster than it probably should have. Which meant that Vax had probably already had the phone in his hand.
Vex sat down to unstrap her shoes and tossed them across the floor. His response deserves property damage. Maybe I’ll feign terror while it happens, see if he feels anything.
The phone was silent for a good thirty seconds, then Vax replied, then we do it. fuck him. u tell me when and i'll get Percy there. The angry purple imp emoji was tacked on to the end.
Won’t be home for another week, she replied. Maybe next weekend. We can discuss this week.
whatever u need, came the reply, though behind it was that lingering bitchiness at their father fucking with her and continuing to string her along.
Vex squeezed the phone and then sent back. Love you.
love u too, Stubby. call me later, her phone buzzed a moment later.
Will. I’m off to shower away today’s pageantry. Give Percy and Yana my love. Be good. Vex popped her phone onto the charger and went to peel out of the many layers of gown.
***
When Vex crawled into bed she wrapped herself in a cocoon of blankets and pulled them over her head to hide. She gripped the charm on her necklace, a little golden bear that Vax had stolen for her ages ago. As she often did when she was upset, she rubbed her thumb over the ridged surface, her skin warming the metal as she clutched tightly.
You’ll stay with me, she thought, squeezing the necklace.
Vex imagined she wasn’t alone, that her trinket was a real bear, strong enough to protect her, but small enough to hold tight. She was so focused on the feeling that it wasn’t the furry mass appearing in her bed that startled her. It was the baby bear licking her face.
Vex yelped and threw the covers back. The bear made a distressed sound at her alarm. Vex stared and reached for her necklace again, but the charm was missing. The bear made a softer, worried sound.
“Hush, darling,” Vex said apologetically. “It’s okay. I’m sorry.” She reached over. “You… you startled me.”
The bear wobbled over, tripping over the tangle of sheets and falling into Vex’s lap. She slipped her arms around him, fingers sliding through his fur. The cub nuzzled close, grumbling approval. He felt real.
“Either I’m sleeping, crazy, or I’m a mutant,” Vex murmured.
She waited until the bear was curled up and napping on her lap before she reached for her phone and took a picture. She texted it to Vax.
Do you see this?
It took a minute or two for any reply. On Vax's end, that minute was spent fumbling for the phone in his pocket, then staring at the screen while trying not to choke on his dinner. Wtf did u do??? Did u rob a zoo? I mean cool if you did but dad is gonna shit himself (laughing emoji)
Vex sighed relief at the confirmation. Narrowed down to dreaming or mutant. She stroked the bear’s head. “I think I’ll call you Trinket,” she murmured.
To her brother she explained. He was my necklace. I’m not sure if I can turn him back.
Sorry wut?
I don’t want to wake him, but I wonder if I could transform something else.
That bear was ur wut??
Necklace. The charm you gave me. He’s so cute, is Yana home? Or that other girl? Could you come do you think?
I’ll be there. But no serious. U turned ur (bear emoji) necklace into a real (bear emoji)? That’s fucking wild. Can I tell Percy?
Yes, and yes. He’s so beautiful. The bear.
Also Percy
Go find a teleporter!
Brt. Wut do bears eat?
Fish? Meat? We can figure out later. Come confirm I've not been dreaming this whole time.
***
An hour later Vax appeared in the alleyway behind a familiar bakery shop in Shoreditch - one open all night long, serving primo coffee. He'd left Clarice with as many pounds as he had on him, then disappeared into the shadows, making the blurred, mind bending journey through the shadows across London to Kensington Gardens. Appearing in his sister's room, however, brought him to a halt, seeing an odd tangle of furniture and items wrapped up in themselves on one side of the room, like jungle vines - only...not.
Percy had warned him that Vex might be asleep by the time he got there, so he was quiet as he approached the bed, his gaze sweeping the covers for the form of a small bear.
Trinket was curled up in Vex’s arms, his fuzzy face tucked against her neck. Vex hadn’t quite fallen asleep so she peeked up at Vax as he walked over. “Hello,” she said drowsily. She sat up, lifting the bear as she did so. “Congratulations, you’re an uncle.”
Vax paused at the edge of the bed, blinking, staring the bear cub in its adorable, sleepy eyes. "Holy shit."
Vex smiled and shuffled over to pass Vax her bear. “Trinket, say hello to my brother.”
Suddenly, Vax had his arms full of bear cub, and his heart just...melted. He cradled the cub in his arms, suppressing the sudden desire to dress the bear up in a ridiculous outfit, like pet owners loved to do with their animals. "You named it Trinket?"
“Yes, because I’m a fool and I named him before making sure he will stay.” Vex pressed a kiss to her brother’s cheek. “Time to test a theory.” She went to retrieve her knife from the chair, concentrating on putting the vines back into the knife. After an initial struggle as she tried to figure out logistics, the vines went slack, and then poofed out of existence.
Vax watched her curiously, carefully nuzzling the bear's (Trinket's) ear. "Well. There goes the speedster idea," he breathed, watching her seemingly magic something away. (His sister was magic. Perfect.)
Vex turned and threw the dagger at the bedpost furthest from Vax. She was pleased when she managed to strike it, and doubly pleased when vines sprang out and wrapped around the post. Trinket squirmed at the thwack if the knife.
“Sorry, buddy,” Vex crooned. She went over to ruffle his fur. “I just want to make sure I can bring you back.” She kissed the bear’s head, then her brother’s. “Speed would have been boring. This is so much better.”
Vax blinked at her, then looked at the knife. "I'm taking the vines coming out of your knife to mean that you can bring him back?"
“I think so.” Vex pushed her brother on to the bed and then crawled on with him. She wrapped tightly around him, cradling one arm around Trinket.
Vax settled with her, supporting the bear in one arm and slipping his other around her to pull her close. "Are you going to try it?"
“Probably should.” She hugged them both. “I want to go home with you,” she murmured quietly. “This has to be enough, right?”
"Come home with me," Vax agreed quietly. "Clarice can take us both. And...you know, the bear."
“That won’t work in the long run. You know what he was like when he found us.” She tucked her cheek against Vax’s shoulder. “Although he’s not here this week. But if I disappear someone would say something.”
"Fuck him!" Vax hissed. "I can hide you from him. Let him try to come for us."
Vex considered seriously. “I don’t know what’s the right call. Running away, or facing him. I feel like... if I run away, I will always be running. I don’t know why I care. It’s not like we’ve known him long.”
Vex was exhausted, feeling the drop at the end of an eventful day. At the reminder of the way Syldor referred to Vax, how he shipped her brother away with no compunction, a spark of her anger rekindled. She was selfish. Vex didn’t want Syldor to write her off completely. As if his opinion mattered. He’d never given Vax a chance.
”I don’t understand why he made this so difficult,” Vex said softly. ”I know we’re not what he wanted, but he claimed us. What is the point of finding a father if he can’t just love us?”
Vax stroked her hair. He thought he knew the answer to that, but he didn't feel like sharing. "You're exhausted. It's the middle of the night and you've been throwing your ... magic? around everywhere. Let's try putting the bear back, then I'll stay with you. I'll call Clarice and let her know to head home without me."
“I love you.” Vex knew it was the right call. She was so grateful that he was here. She pulled Trinket up and kissed the top of his head. “Time to sleep now, darling. I’ll bring you back as soon as I can.”
Vax sat back, releasing the bear to his sister with a quiet watchfulness. It was clear that she'd become attached to the bear in a short time, but he didn't blame her, not after what she'd been through. Reaching for his phone, he dialed Clarice's number, explaining the situation and thanking her for the ride.
Putting Trinket back into the necklace was more difficult than releasing the vines from the knife. She had no idea what she was doing. It might also be how many times she’d tried out her new trick tonight. When the bear disappeared and the familiar weight settled at the hollow of her throat she sagged. Vex touched her necklace and then wrapped around her brother.
“We owe Yana and Clarice a very large fruit basket.”
Vax drew her in against his chest and leaned back against the headboard. "Yeah. Or something."
“Text Percival that I’m keeping you?” Vex murmured. She snuggled against him, eyes slipping shut.
Vax used his free hand to open his phone, sending a quick text:
Vax: Hey. Gonna stay overnight. She needs me.
Percy: Of course. I’ll cover for you if need be.
Percy: Want to talk about it?
Vax: Texting w/ 1 hand. Talk 2 u in the morning.
Percy: Alright
Percy: Sleep well, Vax'ildan
Vax: (kissy emoji)
Percy: <3
Then he slipped the phone into his pocket and wrapped his arms around her. “Done.”
Vex burrowed against him. “Miss this.” She was starting to drift.
"I do too," he murmured softly, cradling her against his chest as he let his eyes slip closed. "I love you."
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