Every time I see someone doing school, I giggle like an idiot.

Gosh, I'm glad I'm done. Yes, I got work now but... aaaa no more school, I GET PAID TO WORK MY BRAIN

Aight, enjoy this chapter. It's so sappy and fluffy that I hope y'all will wriggle on the floor with the sheer amount.

Music good soop btw, would recommend

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RECAP

     Lightning, a curse, and then a scream—

     The sight of Steven kneeling before him made him jump, blank eyes flashing up.

     "Something wrong, bud?" The man's brow was knit with concern.

     A quick, tiny shake of his head and the human was shrugging, offering another handful of dried apples, chewing on some himself. Accepting the delicacies quietly, the being's gaze drifted outside again.

     Maybe... maybe if they never found out... he'd be treated the same. And then maybe he'd forget and be just as happy as those who cared for him.

END RECAP

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Welcome Home

     A flash of pure energy and power. A rough curse, and a shout of pain.

     There's a cut on his hand, warm blood tickling as it trickles down.

     It's not safe here... he can't control himself; he has to get out.

     Get out... GET OUT—

     The being woke with a harsh gasp, body seizing briefly. His heart was pounding, body covered in sweat.

     Why... why were these horrid images coming back to haunt him?

     He had to keep calm... or his power might lash out again and hurt.

     Taking a deep, shaky breath, the being released it slowly, trying to calm his racing heart. He stared up at the wood-plank ceiling, watching the moon paint silver shadows over the boards. It was silent, other than the soft breaths of the two men who'd taken him in and healed him, and the tiny murrs of the small end-creature, who was curled up on Jake's coat in a corner.

     They'd been taking such good care of him... treating him with such gentleness, it didn't make sense that those awful memories were appearing again.

     He was the most comfortable and... and happy than he'd ever been in his entire existence.

     And he desperately didn't want to lose it...

     With a small sigh, the being shifted a bit, trying to focus on the moonbeams again. He needed sleep, needed to heal so he could have the energy to use his power if needed... though it was nice to be cared for. He didn't have to worry about warmth or when he'd eat again or how to wash his wounds...

     It wasn't long until the being drifted off to sleep again, a tiny smile lighting his face.

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     "He's not getting as much sleep as he used to."

     "I know, I know... Not much we can do though."

     Jake shrugged, turning back to his task of carving, "I guess... I wish teaching people how t' talk wasn't so hard."

     "Go easy on him, Jake. He's learned an awful lot in just a couple weeks."

     "Yeahhh I guess so."

     The two men didn't say much after that, each occupied with his own thoughts. Their little rescue was sleeping in again, amidst his pile of every blanket Jake owned. He was nearly able to walk again, and his speech was slow and halting as he grew more comfortable around them. Steve still couldn't believe just how docile the man was, despite his incredible abilities.

     Why then were so many rumors circulating about a demon of death...?

     Well... he could ask soon enough. Herobrine was incredibly quick at picking up new sounds and words, mimicking them, and smiling when Steve or Jake praised him. He was nearly to the point of talking in complete sentences already, though he was extremely soft-spoken.

     "Ouh..."

     Steven blinked, glancing up at the soft sound. Two blank eyes stared at him from above the mound of blankets.

     "Hey there bud... hungry?"

     The eyes brightened, "H'ngree."

     Steve chuckled, standing up and heading over to fix a plate for the being. Herobrine shifted, sitting up and touching his sore ribcage. All this rest, all this food... it had truly worked wonders. Injuries like this would have taken him several seasons to fully recover from, yet here he was, able to shift about mere weeks later.

     Standing shakily, the being made his way over to Steven, limping and wobbling. He grinned at Jake's surprised expression, leaning on a chest.

     "Ay Steven, he's comin' to get you."

     "Oh?" Steven glanced over his shoulder, chuckling as Herobrine pulled a face at Jake, something he was very proud to have learned, "Are you gonna knock me down and take all my food?"

     "N-never hurt... human 'gain."

     Steven raised a brow, taken aback by the hurried denial.

     ...and what did he mean by 'again'?

     "Nah, I'm not worried, little man. Here, sit on that chest and eat something, you're skinny as a rail."

     "You're gettin' good at talkin', Brine," Jake spoke up cheerfully, biting his lip as another soft curl of wood fell away from his carving.

     "Thank... for teachin'."

     Steven patted the thin shoulder, heading over to kidnap the Enderling from its place gnawing on the windowsill. He scooped it up, despite the growling protests, and began scritching its back gently. The Ender-creature soon gave up trying to wriggle free, relaxing into Steven's arms with a murr.

     "Why... you help me?"

     The question caused both Jake and Steve to glance at their little guest, then at each other.

     "Well... we help you because we feel you need it." Steven turned the Enderling over to scratch under its chin.

     "Many... humans run. Many don't... don't like."

     "...we were actually going to ask you about that." Jake set aside his carving, folding his hands before him, and leaning on his knees, "Why... don't people like you much?"

     Brine winced, looking down at his plate, trying to come up with the words.

     "It's alright if you can't tell us right now... we're happy to house you for as long as you need... provided that you don't toss us off the cliff." Steven chuckled, the Enderling now chewing on his sleeve.

     "No... no, want tell. I want tell."

     Brine frowned, picking up a bit of jerky and chewing on it, trying to fit his thoughts into speech.

     Hopefully... hopefully, they would not hate him, they had every right to throw him out when they learned... And who was he to keep a secret from them? They were just... they were too nice...

     "Many... long times ago. Very long times ago... I-I want to learn from humans, want to... see what they like close." Brine struggled a bit with the words, setting his plate aside to gesture with shaking hands, "I... curious. Humans s-so happy with many other humans... I... I want to learn why a-and see if I can happy too."

     Both Steven and Jake seemed to wince at his halting speech, not daring to stop him. Even if he couldn't yet articulate his thoughts, the poor thing got his message across, and it hurt to see how innocent and longing he was... just to have others who would accept him.

     "I... was scare of many humans together. So, I go to lone human... away from others. Like this." Herobrine gestured about to the cabin, "He alone, I want to learn his... talk. Then can go talk other humans."

     Jake and Steven nodded, each silently impressed with how much he'd picked up from their conversations alone.

     However, their expressions slowly darkened as Herobrine continued his tale.

     "He... no trust. Yell about eyes, try to throw... throw things. Use tool, sharp, wave around." Brine's shaking hands folded in his lap, squeezing tightly, "I try to... show him, no afraid. Tool cut hand," Herobrine held up a hand, pointing to the palm, "I... scared. I put hands up, block tool. But... loud white fire come. B-burn human... he not breathe now..."

     "I-I run, and now all human act same... Wave tools, sharp things, yell about eyes... I no learn to say sorry till now."

     Both men were silent, Jake staring at the floor, and Steve scowling out the window. Poor Herobrine grew more nervous, wringing his hands, hunched.

     "P-please... no angry. I don't mean hurt—"

     "No, no we're not angry..." Steven squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head. This poor thing had only ever wanted peace, and humans had declared war on him anyway.

     "You were attacked Herobrine... you had every right to defend yourself." Jake spoke up as well, voice hard, "It shouldn't be you who says sorry, but the people who drive you away."

     Herobrine's eyes widened, his face the epitome of disbelief. He'd fully expected to be cast out, wasn't the danger of his presence too great?

     "Agreed." Steven nodded, releasing the catlike creature in his arms, "But, considering all this... I do have a question."

     Herobrine bit his lower lip, nodding quickly. Anything... he'd do anything to earn their trust.

     Steven strode over, standing before Brine, arms folded. The poor being leaned back, worry crossing his face.

     Did they... want him disabled to ensure their safety?

     Steven's next words were soft, "Will you stay here with us?"

     Herobrine's mouth fell open, the breath leaving his lungs. He... was asking him to stay??

     His mind seemed to grind to a halt, completely forgetting so many words he'd studied and practiced. All he could do was nod, choking out some sort of noise.

     But that was all Steven needed as he knelt, offering his arms. Herobrine didn't hesitate a moment, throwing his thinner arms about Steven's neck, burying his face in the broad shoulder. Warm hands pressed to his back, rubbing gently, soothing.

     "There, bud... you're one of us now, alright?"

     Jake didn't take long to invite himself into the hug, ruffling Herobrine's hair affectionately, "You'd be very silly to think you can escape us now, kid... welcome to whatever mess this is."

     Herobrine couldn't answer, his throat had closed up, and tears were now staining Steven's shirt.

     "Welcome home bud..."

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Gosh, hope this is ok enough. I'm gonna start setting alarms to start writing lol. Can't wait to get started on my og stories ayyy

Vote if you liked all this fluff! I certainly did, poor Herobrine is long overdue for a hug.