HI HOW ARE YA

THAT'S GREAT!

Literally I don't even know anymore, the inconsistency of this is a permanent mood that I know for a fact I'm not alone in. Don't worry, I'm not abandoning this project since it's something I actually care about finishing.

Buuuut I also just started another one, since fandoms is a plural word and Aphmau isn't what consumes my every waking moment.

Don't hate me, I do that enough as it is :D

Aphmau POV:

Laurence got so guarded to fast, his freaking tail frizzed up! Y/n tried to move him off but he wouldn't budge, just glaring at Travis who was asking how she knew him. "That's a normal thing with her, happened to all of us. If anything, it means you're more trustworthy than I thought." That rose some more questions which were waved off to be explained later.

   "Now that that's over, can someone please explain why my kid looks like you guys tried to have a human barbecue?"

   Laurence had somehow been overpowered in the 4 seconds I looked away, Y/n pinching the life out of his ear. "Ow, that was already there when we found him-- owowow-- okay, I'm sorry! I'm SORRY! It's Katelyn's fault, she was letting all of them play with flaming swords--"

   "You coward!!" Katelyn looked betrayed. "They were sticks those brats somehow managed to catch on fire! Last time I checked, you did absolutely nothing when those Imps came!" I face palmed, as we had previously discussed to keep that information disclosed as to not get murdered.

"The hell do you mean Imps? You guys were attacked WITH the children???"

   I winced. That was the mad mom voice of I've ever heard it before. "Yeeeaaah, they were kinda taken hostage by this Demon Warlock in exchange for him to try and steal my Irene powers. I kinda sorta ended up stabbing him and killing his physical force where we somehow got trapped in his pocket dimension, only for Aaron to somehow get us out safely. So no biggie!"

She looked just about as amused as I thought. Not at all. There was a deep breath taken before Laurence was released from his prison. "You guys... I swear this is more trouble than it's worth sometimes. This time there is a free pass, considering the... circumstances. But for the time being, all of you are grounded."
I opened my mouth to make a rebutted, being shot a warning look. I honestly forgot how much older she was than me. It was like disrespecting an auntie.

   Fire was ceased with shifted gaze. "Thank you for your cooperation. Leave the settlement without permission I dare you." She walked off to let us unpack. "Well, at least we can relax now without feeling guilty." Katelyn shrugged and went on her way. Optimistic as always.

That soon left me to my own accords, and sleep was looking very friendly.

   I was currently the only one up in the Guard Tower(tree). It was mid evening and peaceful as ever. The mildly humid warm air, a complete contrast to the never ending snow only 12 hours ago. The wind had it's way of blowing off all the accumulating stress. Geez. Being a Lord was hard. That made me wonder where Levin was. I'd have to ask Malachi when I saw him.

   But for the time being, my immediate attention wasn't needed. And some shut eye was.

Apparently it was needed.

   It was close to midnight now from how high up the moon was. There was a note left on my dresser by Dante, probably expecting to be read in the morning. Not only did he end up telling that Dmitri and Nekoette that they were related, but also that he needed to speak with me about a top secret spy mission that no other mortal would be allowed to look upon let alone do. And I'm not paraphrasing.

   It was amusing to see the humor used to take away tension for a presumably stressful situation. I looked around, seeing the others fast asleep in their beds as well. Aaron included. Even Laurence, who would make it his prime directive to sleep with one eye open at all times, looked at peace. Phoenix Drop had a way of doing that to a person.... That was until his face twisted into one of distress.

   Even from across the room he looked scared. Twisting and turning as whines of protests arose. I went to stand, hearing a shuffle in the leaves from above. Y/n poked here head out already scanning to see what the problem was. All things considering, he wasn't that loud. She must have also been awake.

   Y/n silently jumped down onto some crates before landing on the floor. As much as I'd hate to admit it, she could easily pass as a thief instead of a merchant/mechanic/literally everything else this woman can do.

   Laurence hadn't settled and had in fact looked even more restless the longer he stayed sleep. A hand was planted on his forehead with the most gentle touch I've ever seen. Her brows furrowed, probably finding he had been hot to the touch. She rolled down the blanket and we both shook our heads at the fact that he crashed just as hard as I had. Didn't even bother taking his armor off, which looks more uncomfortable that it sounds.

   "Come on, Weirdo... Wake up." Y/n spoke in a hushed tone, concerned about both him and the rest of us knocked out. She brushed Laurence's bangs out of his face continuing to try and calmly get him away from the demons haunting his rest. He seemed to lean into her touch, bringing his hand up to clasp onto the one on his cheek. Tired, scared eyes opened to meet equally tired ones(man these guys were exhausted).

   "Hey, Laurence... You were having a nightmare again." Again? I didn't know this was frequent, or even happened before. Damn, tells you how good I am at my job. He sat up in return with a bowed head, rubbing circles against her knuckles with both hands. "...Garroth, we got to get him out... Are we ever going to do that...?" The sorrow filled tone made my heart hurt. Was he having doubts of our mission this whole time, or was he spooked from something in his dream?

"...Yes, we are Laurence. He meant so much to everyone, we're gonna find a way..."

   Laurence still seemed half sleep as Y/n mentioned the armor he never discarded. "Oh, yeah..." The two were quiet, almost breaking their covers when his chest plate got stuck over his head and in his hair. She snorted before covering her mouth and giving the tired baby a hand. "There. Go to bed now, we really take for granted how much rest we get in a day."

   He loosely gripped onto her sleeve, tugging some. "...Don't leave..." Y/n paused and sat down on the edge of the mattress next to him. "Of course. I'll wait for you to fall--"

"No."

   Laurence cut her off to our own surprise. He sounded so sad, almost distressed. Maybe even shaking. "Don't leave, us. Don't leave...me. Even if you have to go for a little while, come back...Please....Even if, if you choose Garroth. We need you, I...I need you... P-Please don't leave me..."

   He started crying and I really wished I hadn't woken up in the first place. Y/n brought him into a protective hug to which Laurence buried his face into the crook of her neck. They both sat no longer talking. Laurence was very fragile at the moment, and she knew that.

"...I-I...I won't Laurence....I promise..."

   I laid back down as quietly as possible. Either of them finding out I was up would make a couple things super awkward. Turning over, Aaron was awake in his own bed. Being as much as a gossip as I was. I waved with awkward grin(felling awkward for them that is). He shook his head playing the ghost of a smile before closing his eyes again.

Glad at least people are opening up to each other.

1376 words.