Homes, Houses and Places To Stay

[G. Novella]

Alice wordlessly took the potion and began applying drops to the dead skin to heal it. She wiped her tears with a free hand and then grabbed her wand and began moving it slowly over his cuts. She used a modified version this time. He was too weak to handle the pain and she didn't want him to. Teeth gritted, she let the pain roll over her as she closed the wounds.

"Cool the room, if he starts sweating, raise the temperature," she gasped out, still moving her wand.

The Heliopath fire needed his body at a certain temperature to properly absorb and not kill him. She'd be damned if he went through all this pain and died.

[kumainpink]

Octavius used a Cooling Charm to chill the room, which seemed to provide Maxwell with some form of comfort. He looked a little more peaceful, at least. Even then, it wasn't right, seeing him this frail. The man had just recovered from one painful ritual, only to be affected by another. Why had they allowed this insanity to begin with? Were they pushing him too hard? The man had just lost his only son a few weeks ago, for Merlin's sake!

Octavius clenched his fists, as wave after wave of self-loathing washed over him. Some big brother I am.

[G. Novella]

Once the skin was sewn back together, Alice sighed. A smile slipped on her face upon looking at the familiar marks of her own healer's touch. The pain from her body was gone. She hardly noticed her legs shaking, or the fact that she was supporting herself by leaning upon bed to stay upright. All that was left was to rub the Burn Paste on Maxwell to heal them. And a mild fever potion.

Alice stumbled slightly as she grabbed the two from the side table.

[kumainpink]

Octavius grimaced. Merlin be damned, the girl was going to collapse soon. "Is there anything I can do to help you, Alice?" he asked her. "Anything at all?"

[G. Novella]

Alice looked to Octavius, suddenly remembering his presence. She looked to Maxwell. She had to fix him first. He was in pain. She wanted to help him, like he helped her. He'd almost died, and she'd almost lost him. It had hurt. Now he was safe. She just needed to finish healing the last wounds.

"The Paste," she croaked, suddenly realizing how dry her throat had gotten, "We need to massage it into his burns. I'll give him the potion, then we csn apply the paste."

With that, she stumbled back to Maxwell. Gently she lifted his head, and tipped the vial of potion down his throat. She held his head with a gentle tenderness. He'd be okay.

[kumainpink]

"The two of you should probably leave for a while." he told Veronica, subtly motioning to Cassalina. "We've got things covered here." Octavius grabbed the paste and handed to her. "I'll help." he told her. "Just tell me where to put it."

[G. Novella]

Alice watched Veronica coax Cassalina out of the room. She took the paste and began lightly rubbing it in her fingers.

"Apply a thin layer on his burns. Be gentle, and rub slowly," instructed Alice."Use a circular hand motion. "

As she said this, she began coming to terms wiith what she had risked losing tonight. Maxwell had almost died. She couldn't understand why it was so upsetting. She just wanted to weep. Obviously she was upset at losing her saviour, but it felt more personal. She didn't want to lose him to anything, or anyone. Where had that come from? Why was she feeling possessive? Why did she just want to stand here and weep over him? He wasn't more than an employer, so why was she feeling this way?

[kumainpink]

Octavius spread the foul-smelling paste on him, trying to be as gentle as possible. "He's an idiot, you know. Intelligent, but an idiot nevertheless."

[G. Novella]

Alice nodded, "He doesn't deserve this. He's too brave for his own good. I just don't know what to do to help him. I want to see him strong, and healthy, and happy again. I care for him. He's such a wonderful man, he deserves the best. He shouldn't be here and unhappy."

As Alice said this, she felt her exaustion soak through her. her hand slowed down to accomadate her dropping energy levels.

"I'm going to sleep in here tonight, on a chair to monitor him. Are you staying too?"

[kumainpink]

"I think I will." he replied, rather surprised by Alice's words. The way she talked, it sounded as if she was in love, like Veronica had mentioned. "Merlin knows he needs us to watch over him." He conjured two cushioned chairs for them.

"He's been like this ever since his parents passed away. Always pushing himself, working toward some goal. At first, it was merely taking over as head of his family, so that other pure blood families couldn't try to steal what was rightfully his." Octavius sighed, taking a seat in his chair. "But when he was twenty, he started getting involved with magical creatures, and his campaign to rid the world of them."

[G. Novella]

Alice took a seat beside Octavius. She brought her legs up onto the plush arm chair, curling them beneath her. Alice could hear her parents scolding her on the impropriety of the situation, but her own sheer exhaustion made her ignorant. In fact, she let her eyes droop and responded off the top of her head, not considering her words.

"How did he find time for Olivia?" she mused softly not realizing Octavius could hear her, "Or twelve other women?

Then she replied unthinkingly, "Has he always ended up so badly injured? He should have had someone beside him, caring for him as a trained Healer. I wish I could stand beside him, but I'm not good enough."

[kumainpink]

"He made the time, of course." Octavius replied grumpily, not liking the reminder of bitch-tits. "For Olivia, that is. The other women were usually one-night stands, or occasional fuck buddies." He stared at her. Why did any of that really matter to her, anyway?

"The idiot would deny himself days of sleep, in order to keep up with whatever Oliva wanted. And yes, he's been hurt before. Just never this badly. And what do you mean, not good enough? You saved his life twice so far. That's more than anyone has ever done for him." There was a twinge of bitterness at the reminder of his failure. "Don't sell yourself short."

[G. Novella]

Alice couldn't understand why her blood was boiking at Octacius's words. As if uncontrolled, she began to verbally spew out her anger.

"She didn't deserve a bit of his attention! She was horrible! At the funeral she wore his family crest to get in, and then turned around and told him he was the reason Brayden passed! She accused him of being abusive to me, as if that's the only reason I wanted to stay by him! She blamed him for her not being a good mother!" said Alice angrily.

Her gaze softened as she continued, "But he didn't let her get to him, not until she accused me of being some kind of whore. He didn't need to get angry for me, but he did. How can I not help him after that? When he risked his life once before, and defended my honor then, it's the least I can do now."

As she said this, she held a bitter image of a happy Maxwell and Olivia. She didn't know why it hurt so much. It made her throat tighten, and her face fall. She wanted his happiness, but if Olivia was it, could Alice handle that? Immediately her resolve tightened. Olivia broke Maxwell's heart once before, stomped on it. Alice would never do that to Maxwell. She loved him too much.

What? Where had that idea come from?! Suddenly Alice felt wide awake, as a deep red blush crossed her face. Love? Love Maxwell?! It was impossible. Right?

[kumainpink]

Octavius couldn't help but smile at Alice's confession. So, Veronica was right. "You really care about him, don't you? I'm glad to hear that."

[G. Novella]

Alice nodded, "Yeah, I do."

But was this care love? Did she really love him? He was so much more mature than her, older too. He was braver, smarter and a better man. He came from a good family, from a happy home. Even id she did love him, what would that mean? He'd never return her feelings, and why should he? She was nothing compared to him.

But if she did love him, could she handle losing him? She'd almost physically lost him today. If she had, would she have been able to handle it? She couldn't lose him. But if he wasn't happy, could she allow that? If her feelings were love, then what was she to do? What was the right thing?

"How do I help him," she began asking in confusion, "When my own concern and feelings aren't appropriate?"

Then realizing how that sounded, she blushed and began stammering, "I-I mea-mean I worry he's ov-over exten-extending himself, and as his He-Healer and not as a c-c-cr-cru-crush, I wa-want to ma-make him happy and  s-safe!! And I'm wo-worrying I may not be go-good eno-enough for th-that! I ce-certain-certainly don't w-want to o-overstep my b-bounds. I do-don't have in-in-ina-inappropriate feelings!"

[kumainpink]

Octavius sighed. Women! Honestly, they worried over the silliest things! What was so bad about loving someone? Or even just crushing on them? But, he knew what to do - he had experience comforting Cassalina, after all. "Take it easy, Alice." he said gently. "First of all, what you're doing is just fine. You're healing him, helping him, and quite frankly, drawing him out of his shell. If anything, we should be thanking you for that. So...thanks."

He paused for a moment, wrestling with just the right words to say. "Look, if you really like him, just be yourself. Fuck what's apropriate! We're a bit of a messy bunch - none of us care if we defy a few old-fashioned morals! But, don't hold off on your feelings for so long - look at Cassalina. She spent five years pining away, because she was too afraid to push the boundries a little."

[G. Novella]

Alice couldn't help blushing as Octavius pinned her feelings. Covering her face with her hands to hide her blush, she let his words roll over her. She knew she couldn't run away now, not when running away only hurt her and him. Nevertheless, she'd been raised to follow what was good and appropriate. Could she defy it for feelings that may not be returned?

Octavius's encouragement to be herself seemed easy enough. She could do that, she'd just be herself. As long as she didn't push her feelings upon Maxwell, it would be okay, right? But pushing the boundaries...

"Was I that obvious?" asked Alice with a groan, "If that's the case, then he'll know without me pushing boundaries. Not that I even know where to begin with those."

Feeling vulnerable, she confessed in a small voice, "I've never liked someone this way. Is being myself really enough? What if I mess up? What if he decides to love someone else, like Marigold, because I'm too young and inexperienced?"

[kumainpink]

Octavius couldn't help it. He laughed. She was just so...innocent. Why had he ever considered her a threat? And Marigold? With Maxwell? Oh, that was rich! "Sorry," he appologized, realizng that his laughing at her wasn't helping. "It's just, there's no way Marigold would ever be the woman of Maxwell's choice. She's an obsssive fangirl, one that he's always complaining about! Trust me, she isn't his type." He snickered once more at the mental image of Maxwell showing real affection for Marigold. She wasn't a bad woman, but still...

"Maxwell does care about you, that much is obvious." Octavius said seriously, regaining his composure. "He shows more anger at you being harmed or insulted than anyone of us. Includng Cassalina, who he views as his little sister. As to what kind of caring it is, I can't say for sure. He's an odd fellow, and is the most indirect man I've ever met!"

He looked at Maxwell's peaceful, sleeping face. "But, when he does love someone, he's never sure of it right away. Give him time, and the truth will come out. But do stay true to yourself - he has this way of telling when people are being fake most of the time. And he doesn't enjoy that too much."

[G. Novella]

"I-I can do that," said Alice, relieved after Octavius explanation.

She felt her blush deepen as a pleased smile crossed her face. He cared for her, and not Marigold. She wondered if it was too much to want to enjoy that. She nodded at Octavius's words, barely noticing the rising sun outside the window. As she looked at Maxwell's peaceful, sleeping face, she felt a strange warmth in her heart.

"Thank you," said Alice after a few moments of silence, "For helping me figure this out."

She yawned, before saying, "I can be myself around him. Please don't tell him we talked about this, I-I'd like to someday tell him myself, if that's alright?"

[kumainpink]

Octavius yawned, making himself comfortable in the chair. Merlin, it was getting late...

"Don't worry. It's not my place. Tell 'em when you're ready, and not a moment too soon. Just don't be afraid." His eyes felt too heavy to keep open anymore. "Take it one day at a time." And with that, he felt the beginnings of sleep overpower him.

[G. Novella]

Alice nodded. She leaned her head back, and let her eyes droop shut. She could handle it. One day at a time. She could do it. Just make Maxwell better now, all this love stuff can be done later. Another day, another time. With that, sleep took her away.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell woke up quite some time later, feeling thick-headed, hazy and weak. Merlin! How much did I drink last night? He looked over to his right, and saw that Octavius and Alice were sitting in chairs, fast asleep. Suddenly, the memory of last night's ritual came to mind. He winced at the thought of all that fire and burning flesh. Oh yeah...that happened.

He looked down at his chest, which bore the runes that Veronica had carved into him. They faded for the most part, but faint traces of them lingered, a faint, orange color. He didn't miss the ugly look of his skin, most of it looking rather ugly and red. But, at least he was alive, and the heliopath's magic was inside him. No, he couldn't have gone through this before.

"Thank you, Alice." he whispered hoarsely, even though she didn't seem to hear him. Oh well, he'd just thank her later...

[G. Novella]

Alice shifted in her sleep. In her own sleepiness, she'd passed out exhausted. Her sleep had been dream free, and she felt herself open her eyes to a bright room. Sleepily she moved her head up and looked around. She saw the man laying ahead of her injured, and immediately the memories of last night flooded back.

Maxwell! Love! Ritual!

The three thoughts moved in her head, driving her crazy. She fought back her blush as she got up and grabbed her wand to check his vitals. She avoided looking at his face, thus not realizing he was awake as she waved her wand over him.

[kumainpink]

"Good morning, Alice." Maxwell whispered, when she started to wave her wand over him. "How are you doing?"

[G. Novella]

Alice jumped at Maxwell's voice. It sounded weak and frail and made her heart break all over again just hearing it. She turned to face him, a soft smile on her face and a pinkness in her cheeks.

"Good morning," she said warmly, "And it's more important how you're doing than me, you really got yourself bad this time around."

Despite her normal tone, she felt herself unable to meet his eyes for more than a few seconds. The warm brown was making her feel weak in the knees again, not out of intimidation, but out of a different feeling of embarrassment.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell chuckled, though it turned into more of a cough. "I'll be alright, you saw to that." She wasn't quite meeting him in the eye, and it disturbed him a little. He looked that bad? He smiled at her. "I told you it wouldn't be easy. Thank you for staying around, and seeing to my wounds, of course."

[G. Novella]

"Of course I would for you," she said, and then bit her tongue. She turned to grab a fever potion, cursing herself. What if that sounded suggestive?

"I mean, you've done so much for me," Alice tried explaining as she came back with the potion. "But how do you feel, where does it hurt?"

As she said this, she began lifting his head to feed him the potion, aware that a bright red blush was forming on her cheeks at meeting his eyes.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but something seemed very different about Alice. He couldn't quite place it, so he ignored it. "Well, you've done a lovely job." He felt a small bit of warmth creep into his own cheeks. Or was that just from the ritual? "All I feel is bit of pain in my back and chest, and a weakness. But from what I've read about this ritual, it should pass in a few days. Though...I wouldn't have made it to this point without you. Once again, I owe you my life, Alice."

[G. Novella]

Alice nodded with a smile.

"I wouldn't be here if you hadn't saved my life that night," replied Alice, "So we really shouldn't keep count."

She then moved to check the burns. They were healing slowly. She'd need to reapply the Burn Paste to ensure they wouldn't scar.

"The burns won't scar once I'm done applying the Burn Paste," said Alice, "But the knife wounds will remain a pink scar forever."

Then with an uncertain smile, she met his eyes for a moment, before turning with her wand.

"When you get tired of looking at those, just cast this spell," she explained, "Sanator scriptor tactus revelatum"

With a flourish of her wand over his body, a white glow appeared, revealing her marks as a Healer over his body. Her smile grew wider. She'd never tire of seeing the site.

"These marks are my Healer's touch, they'll be with you forever," she explained, unable to keep the happiness out of her voice.

[kumainpink]

Maxwell felt unexplicably happy at the way Alice had said that. "Forever, huh? Well, I suppose there are worse things that I could endure." his tone was light and friendly.

"Mmm...no more. Don't wanna eat the pudding Mr. Fluffers." murmured Octavius in his sleep. Maxwell snickered. Poor, vain Octavius looked quite the mess. He started to laugh again, but stopped before it became a cough.

"It seems you weren't the only one pulling an all-nighter. Hm...I wonder what Veronica would do if she were to see this? Think it would make up for the other night?" He whispered, a sly grin stretching across his face.