Aphmau POV:

  In the guard(tree) tower, Kenmur and Emmalyn were keeping to themselves as she tried to comfort him. Like I thought before, Y/n was now awoke but forbid from moving by a multitude of us. So she was sitting up in her bed exchanging words with Katelyn. I was having a conversation with Laurence on what we were to do with the now given situation.

   Zenix' motive for the destruction of his own people is still unknown. Would he be trying to singlehandedly revive the Shadow Lord? Or get back at the Shadow Knights for all the pain they've caused? Whatever it be, he betrayed Phoenix Drop long ago and is out on a killing spree. No good. The topic was left to be discussed later as we both went over to Y/n's bed after Katelyn left.

"You guys know that I'm capable of using crutches or a wheelchair, right?" The growing boredom was easily distinguished from her expression. "Oh it's not too bad. Once you are healed up, you'll be moving and getting out with us in no time!" I had a smile on my face as she returned it before asking, "Wait, you mean leave again?" I nodded, thinking it was obvious.

"Yeah. We are setting out again in a few days once you're better and we restock." Y/n blinked at me before taking a minute to respond. "Aphmau... I wasn't coming with you." This time Laurence was one to say something. "What?" He sounded almost upset. "...I'm sorry if you guys didn't know but, I was staying in the settlement after we were to come back from Mateli."

"I thought you wanted to come with us! Just because of a healable accident you changed your mind?!" Y/n turned her eyes to him being wear of his words. "I'm not one to run because of a scar, Laurence. Before we even left, there was business I needed and need to take care of after I were to return."

"And what business is so important than anyone else couldn't take care of?!" Y/n narrowed her eyes up at him. "Watch it Laurence. My trading systems don't need to be explained to you. But since you asked so nicely, there was a big trade happening for me in the next few days. And after that, I need to visit Scaleswind for a... cargo shipment."

Laurence was going to say something else but decided against it with a sigh. "I apologize Y/n, that was unnecessary pressing of me. I just... didn't think we'd be leaving without you... again." She half smiled up at him. "It's all well and good Weirdo. I'm older you know, so I got bigger adult stuff to take care of." He laughed before crossing his arms.

"I bet I could still do it better than you." Y/n crossed her arms in front of her. "You wish." By now, I had been steadily backing away since this adorably entertaining display of affection didn't involve me.

Y/n POV:

Laurence and I were having childish bickering over nonsense like who acted older than the other, who was taller, who had a more mature voice and whatnot. I stretched my arms up feeling cramped from the same sitting position. "Hey, maybe if I carry you down we could do something other than just stay here."

"And why would you carry me ya doof? Like I said, there are wheelchairs and crutches downstairs." I shrugged leaning forward on me mattress some. "You could ride on my back down the ladder." I rolled my eyes, pushing away the blanket. "For once that's not a bad idea." He stared blankly at me after that. "...What?"

"No 'fuck off Laurence' or witty comeback?" That did make sense. "I'd rather be tortured with your for 30 seconds than stay up here on a lumpy bed." He then smiled super wide before coming around and bending to his knees. "M'lady~" I started regretting even saying yes to this, already feeling embarrassed. "Shut it, weirdo."

I climbed over him, putting one arm around his neck while propped my head up with the other one. Laurence stood up seeming to have a little too much fun with this. Surprisingly, no one was looking in our general directing as he walked to the ladder and began to descend. "Done fucking drop me."

"Wouldn't dream of it." I can't even remember the last time I rode on someone's back like this. It made me feel uneasy and self conscious. I didn't notice the fact that I was slipping down and jumped when Laurence gripped my lower thighs. I felt the vibrations from Laurence's chest when he chucked at me. It only made my inner embarrassment worse as I didn't show it on the outside.

"...Aphmau told me about the Sasha situation. We should put a barrier around the old guard station so that we wouldn't have to watch her all the time, and she couldn't escape." Laurence was slowly making his way down the spirals of stairs around the guard(tree) tower. "That is actually a terrific idea. Zoey could be able to do it! Aphmau or myself could ask her tomorrow, at an earlier time than now."

There are 3 steps left when He decided to jump off them instead of walk. My reflexes decided to wrap tighter around his neck. I glared at the back of his head already knowing he had a stupid smirk on his face. "You did that on purpose." He hummed back at me with a shrug. Walking around the tree to a miny medical center.

Like I had said, there were crutches and a wheelchair along with some first aid kits. Laurence set me down to walk on my own. "Thanks." He smiled at me with a soft daze in his eyes. "Anything for you~ Now have a lovely evening until someone catches you." I turned around with a laugh. "Like anyone could catc--" I tensed up from a broad set of arms wrapping me in a side hug.

"Don't run off to where I can't protect you." Laurence had a light shade of pink over his face. "Uh...sure...." He blinked with his normal composure washing away. "Oh, Irene! Sorry, that was uncalled for! Just...be safe. When we're gone." Laurence looked like he wanted to say something else, but chose not too. He gave a short smile before turning a heel and walking off.

After a few minutes I snapped out of it and it was then I noticed the fire in my face and rapid beating of my chest. 'Fuck.' Fuck indeed. This brown haired, Casanova, poor excuse, perversion of a man is playing with me. Of all the time to start being effected by another human person, it had to be now. They only just got back, Y/n!

Why is this even coming up? Sure I knew him before, but that was such a long time ago and he barely knows me anymore. To him though... it wasn't that long, so I can at least tolerate his slight clinginess. But this isn't the time to be thinking about mess like this in the first place! My problems can wait a few more lifetimes. I huffed out a breath before grabbing a crutch and standing with it.

"Wow. Are you okay Y/n?"

I almost fell over on the spot from the sudden higher pitched voice. My head snapped to the left, seeing Alexis close by but covered in a few shadows. "Jesus. Alexis, how long have you been standing there?" I was hoping she just got here, but hope wasn't on my side. "Long enough to hear you talking to yourself and see that...dramatic... scene play out."

"Shit. I didn't even notice I was talking out loud. Not normally one to do that." Alexis nodded before having a growing grin appear on her face. "So, Laurence huh?" I face palmed beginning to spit out excuses of how it wasn't like that and it's complicated trash I shouldn't worry about. "I thought you used to have feelings for him for how much you talked about him." Huh? She confused me at that.

"Or am I confusing him for that Garroth guy?" A whole other can of worms I didn't want to open. "I'm sorry Alexis, I don't know what you're talking about." She stepped closer into the light with me to lean on a table, getting more comfortable. "When we were kids, you and Zoey told stories of Garroth, Aphmau and Laurence. Zoey told more about Aphmau while you had most about the guys."

Looking back on it, those statements were true as far as I could tell. I wasn't doing it on purpose though. "From the way you described both of them in separate tales, made it seem as if you were real close if not in a relationship with one of them. Were you, Y/n? I don't normally make assumptions!" I almost furiously shook my head. "No, no! I wasn't with...either of them..."

I must have trailed off when Alexis snapped to get my attention. "It seems to me like you still like them. You should try talking to them when you get the chance! I mean.... OH WAIT I MEAN! NO IM SO SORRY I FORGOT ABOUT GARROTH BEING..." I waved her off with reassurance.

"It's fine, it's fine Alexis! I get what you mean. Thanks you know. This type of stuff isn't my cup of tea but you helped make it a bit easier for me. We should talk more regularly you know. A little girl time never hurt anyone." She agreed with me on the last statement before waving and continuing on with her patrol.

'Oh boy.'

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