He slowly woke, feeling fully rested. As Jesse blinked the haze away and stretched languidly, he realized this had been one of the first nights where he hadn't jolted awake screaming his late mate's name.

It felt so...weird. Each evening, he pushed his bed time as far as he could, already anticipating the flashes of his past, the abuse and torment that still marked him.

The reminder that James had been murdered in front of his very nose, all to alter the taste of his blood, still weighted down on Jesse's shoulders.

If only he hadn't drawn the attention of the Improba... had been bland, boring even. But the young pixie had always stood out, an equal gift and curse of his bloodlines.

Everyone around him could tell Jesse was more than just the average pixie. They couldn't lay their finger on it but their instincts knew that Jesse held Elven blood.

And according to Sylvar, an Elven Deprived was unheard of. Jesse was the first case and even then he was only half-elven. But his treatment at the hands of the Improba was an abominable act in the eyes of the Elves.

The elves were all drawn to Jesse, wanting to sooth his pain, to wipe out the bad memories and make new, pleasant ones. Each time the boy drew away from them, they backed away with understanding and kindness in their expression.

But their eyes spoke of the soul deep agony that hid within. The spark of rage that burned within the elves like an uncontrollable inferno.

"While we look composed, elves are highly emotional creatures." Sylvar had explained a few days ago when Jesse had managed to stutter out the question to his father. The man seemed eager to converse with his son, giving the boy his full attention as he continued.

"When we feel sadness, our entire soul break in agony. Our anger can rival the rage of a territorial dragon that is guarding its precious eggs." He sighed, rubbing over his face. "But, we've learned to reign in our emotions. Practiced self-control in order to prevent harm to others."

Jesse shivered just at the reminder of volatile emotions. After all, Improba didn't care to reign in their emotions; they let them run rampant.

Too often had he been the victim of someone's frustration, anger or lust.

Though it felt incredibly relieving to hear that Jesse wouldn't be at risk with the elves. At least not with the adult ones.

Though Jesse didn't know if he had any knowledge of Elven children. In fact, he hadn't encountered any even though he had seen plenty of males and females roaming around.

A spark of curiosity spiked and lingered underneath his skin. Normally his old, former self would've instantly prodded and pried, searching for answers until his curiosity was sated.

Now, Jesse was too afraid to even think of the possibility of prying into someone else's business. To think that he had the right to even ask something that had no purpose.

But the soft, tender look in his father's eyes told more than words could. That Jesse had the right, any right, to ask whatever came up in his mind.

His heart had stuttered in his chest, fear biting at his mind as he steeled his nerves before nervously whispering the question.

Sylvar had blinked before smiling reassuringly. "You're not prying at all son. Elves are not as fertile species due to our false immortality. If we had children as the same rate as mortals, we'd overcrowd the world and destroy the very woods we adore."

Sitting up in his bed, Jesse slowly scratched through his hair before flinching, pulling a face at the greasy sensation left on his hands.

Time for a bath...

The wood felt chilly underneath his feet after the toasty warmth trapped beneath his covers. It made Jesse scurry towards the bathroom, always hesitant to open a door as if expecting one of the Improba to show up and punish him for his insolence.

But, this is my place...Xavier said so...

Light was already filtering through the curtains, which Jesse pulled aside to bask in the sunlight for a moment. Whoever had built this village had thought ahead, knowing that none of the Deprived would be eager with anyone being able to sneak a peek.

Instead of regular windows, Xavier and his men had built the houses with the Deprived needs in mind. While the windows were see through, all Jesse had to do was flick a switch and just as quickly, it turned an opaque white that shielded him from prying eyes.

Most likely Xavier had known that any Deprived would be hesitant, even within the safety of their home, to undress. It left them in a state of weakness, a physical reminder of what they've been through as they had all been forced to remain naked.

Even now, Jesse's heart thrummed in his throat, fingers shaking around the knobs before turning the faucet on. He quickly side stepped the stream of water that started to heat, filling the bathroom with a thin layer of steam.

Jesse quickly undressed, fingers lingering on his skin whenever he came across one of his scars. Each scar held an unwanted memory of its creation, a memory that Jesse struggled to suppress.

The bath tub on the opposite side of the room was given a longing glance but the young Pixie knew he wouldn't be able to handle a long soak.

Even though that was one of the things he enjoyed in the past. To light some scented candles, flick some bathing salts in the water and relax for a while.

Instead, Jesse walked in the shower, sighing gratefully as the biting heat presented a different stimuli to focus on.

Tipping his face to the water pouring down, he sighed, feeling his shivers lessen as his body was drenched, wrapped in liquid heat. Heat that was eagerly welcomed by his aching muscles, drawn up shoulders relaxing from their tensed position.

Almost mechanically, his fingers reached for the soaps, flicking the cap off the bottles before sniffing at the one by one. With each scent presented, Jesse felt that slight tingle of happiness spark before settling on the fragrant minty shampoo.

By the time his shower was done, Jesse had properly washed himself for the first time in...weeks. Months He had showered back when he was held captive, but those had been...unpleasant experiences.

Showers where the water burned in an attempt to drown out the ghostly fingers that were present everywhere on his body. Where Jesse scrubbed his skin until it nearly bled, all in order to get rid of the disgust that eagerly sank in his bones.

Back then, they weren't given the luxury of an assortment of soaps, or stretched out showers. They had a bar of soap and a bottle of shampoo, just the barest essentials in order to get the scent of their previous client off their skin before they had to present themselves to the next.

A shiver ran over Jesse's spine, fingers yanking at the bathrobe a tad harsher than he intended.

But the soft, warm fabric that was freshly washed felt like silk against his scarred and battered skin. Weighted just enough that it felt as if someone was giving him a warm and comforting hug.

Once he was properly dressed and the bathrobe tied securely around him, Jesse returned the windows to their original state with a flick of the switch, tipping the window so the steam could clear out.

As he was descending the stairs, Jesse paused halfway, tilting his head and flushing slightly. His eyes easily found Xavier where the vampire was waiting outside, resting his back against the wall.

The pixie wracked his mind if he had possibly missed the sound of the bell going off. Perhaps it had been muffled by the sound of –

He blinked again, looking behind him at the ajar door of the bathroom, at the cracked open window that was hidden from view. A window that faced the streets, where Xavier was waiting.

Had he... heard the sound of the shower...and waited for me, all this time?

Jesse's stomach performed an odd flip as he stumbled a step on the stairs, grabbing the banister to prevent himself from falling down.

That would be the last thing he needed; Xavier having to kick open his front door because Jesse slipped and fell down the stairs.

His mind easily conjured up the image, adding to his embarrassment as it helplessly provided the mere idea that it could've been worse.

He could be undressed underneath that robe. To fall down the stairs with his ass bare for the world to gawk at.

Jesse squeaked audibly, fluttering down the stairs and towards the front door, hesitating only for a moment.

A moment where Xavier had heard his squeak, moving to the door before it squeaked open. Their eyes connected, Xavier's flitting over Jesse's flushed face, both from the recent shower and his embarrassment before the vampire smiled.

The heat in Jesse's cheeks only grew as the Improba's fang caught over his lip in that adorable, dimpled smile of his.

"Good morning Jesse." Xavier greeted, voice soft, warm and all kinds of inviting.

Jesse's brain short-circuited for a moment before he found his voice once more, nodding at Xavier and stepping aside as he murmured his own greeting.

The improba's smile deepened as he walked inside, toeing off his shoes before his attention fell on Jesse's own bare feet.

"I didn't know if you wanted, but we can provide you with some slippers for inside. Some people prefer to walk around barefoot but..."

Jesse blinked, toes curling against the wooden floor for a moment before he shook his head. He didn't need, didn't deserve-

"Jesse? Can I have some words hun?"

Eyes widening, Jesse licked his dry lips, fingers clutching together nervously as the boy swallowed convulsively in quick succession. "I... I'm good." He croaked unconvincingly, drawing a slight frown on Xavier's face.

But neither of them could detect a lie in the sentence. Jesse didn't lie, he was fine with walking around barefoot, preferred it that way even.

Hell, all those times where he had walked around in a daze, spent his time in the woods around the former compound, he had felt the woods beneath his bare feet.

Xavier smiled, a spark of restlessness, of unease flittered through the air and made Jesse tense. Wary at what had created that scent before blinking in shock and surprise at Xavier's following question.

"I was wondering...can I... hug you Jesse?" The man held his arms slightly further from his body, an inviting gesture that drew Jesse's attention.

H-hug...me?

For a moment Jesse couldn't see why the Improba had any desire to hug something as vile and twisted as he. Nor did he want to dirty such a kind and gentle man by letting him come in contact with a filthy whore-

"But you already have hugged him. Several times now and he accepted the hug, welcomed it. Surely he doesn't mind, right?" His mind whispered in Jesse's ear, shaking him from his momentary stupor to see Xavier still there, still waiting.

Hesitantly, as if expecting an ambush, Jesse padded forwards, feet soundless against the floor before they rested before Xavier's. He managed a shaky nod, shivering as he felt the gust of wind when Xavier sighed.

"I need your consent sweetheart. I will never, ever force my touch onto you. You are in control and you can decline any request whenever you want." Xavier murmured, making Jesse's lip wobbled before his teeth sank into its flesh.

"I....Y-you can...please."

He didn't need to say anything else, didn't need to showcase the sudden need that flared to life. One moment he was hesitant to accept a sudden hug, despised the very idea of allowing anyone to touch him.

The next, Jesse felt as if he would die if he wasn't wrapped up in a loving embrace.

Strong arms gently curled around his body, pulling him closer so he rested comfortably against Xavier. Allowing the man to support his weight as Jesse turned his face, buried it against the man's throat and inhaled his unique scent.

Home.

A cheek rested on his hair before Jesse could hear and physically feel Xavier inhale. Yet the gesture didn't make him feel disgusted, instead he copied it, allowing the tension to flow out of his body.

Comfortable within Xavier's arms, Jesse felt home. Safe. Knowing that the Improba was capable of inflicting torment upon his body was wiped away as he could feel the man drain any lingering pain from his body.

Just as he could feel the anxiety within his chest soften, an audible, relaxed sigh escaping him as the knot lessened and eventually disappeared.

"Thank you." Jesse murmured unthinkingly, surprising them both before Xavier hummed, the sound thrumming against Jesse's ear.

"Anything for you."