I had come to the conclusion that I hated mornings.

I was dragging my feet as I walked into the kitchen, the scent of Marc's coffee not having its usual effect on me. I spotted Sean smirking at me from where he was sitting at the island, and I pouted, rubbing my eyes, making it clear that I did not want to be up at the moment. He laughed and opened his arms as an invitation for me.

I didn't hesitate for one moment. I skidded and slid across the tile on the kitchen floor and plopped down onto Sean's lap, cuddling into his warmth. His chest vibrated from laughter and he pressed a kiss to my head, smoothing my hair away before wrapping his arms around me tightly.

"Can't we let her play hooky today?" Marc asked, leaning down and gently gripping my chin to look at my face. I whined and tried to push him away, wanting to rest my head against Sean again. "No offense, honey, but you look like shit. Did you sleep at all last night?" His eyes drifted over to Sean. "As a doctor, can't you say she's not allowed to go to school. Tell her she's not allowed to go to school."

"Owen and Axel would kick our asses," Brandon announced as he joined us, rubbing his eyes. Both him and Sean were shirtless, not that I minded much, but I wonder how my mom would react if she walked in and saw me in the room with them all. She would probably flip her shit, but she wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

"Oh come on, Brandon," Marc protested, his lips drawing into a frown. "Look at that face. Look how tired she looks. You know you want to keep her home and cuddle her all day."

Brandon's lips quirked up slightly into a small smile as he looked at my pouting face. "You're right," he replied, leaning against the counter. "I would like nothing more than to stay home and cuddle my munchkin all day, but she needs to go to school and I need to go work at the shop."

"That's fine," I spoke up quickly, resting my head against Sean's shoulder again. "Marc can do the cuddling for you. Right, Marc?"

Amusement danced in Marc's mismatched eyes. "Absolutely. I wouldn't mind being a cuddle stand in, at all."

Brandon rolled his eyes at us, grinning. "You two are ridiculous," he said, running his fingers through his tousled hair. "You're going to school, end of discussion. Got it, munchkin?"

"Yes, Dad," I sighed, resisting the urge to stick my tongue out at him. Sean laughed and pressed kisses to my neck while rubbing my back. I melted into him, finding it rather hard to listen to Brandon's order. I wondered if I could stay home without him knowing...

"I'm driving you to make sure you actually go to school like a good girl!" Brandon called over his shoulder.

I groaned, and Marc and Sean collapsed into laughter again.

***

It had been a long ass day, and I was more than glad that it was a Friday and I was finally home. I had plans to meet with the boys at the Taylor's later, but at the moment I contemplated napping or going for a swim. As I passed by the boys' doors, I noted that they were shut which meant they were either out or otherwise occupied and I shouldn't bother them. I was kind of disappointed, hoping that one of them would want to join me for a nap or a swim but I brushed it off quickly.

My state of bliss and happiness was shattered the moment I opened my bedroom door. A scream tore from my throat and I stumbled backwards, staring wide eyed at the wreckage of my room. The room that had just been cleaned the night before was now trashed. Objects were strewn on the floor and broken, clothing was everywhere, some of it torn and ripped. My mattress was completely off the bed frame, and my blankets were thrown over my desk.

When my eyes caught sight of what hung from the inside of my door, I had to swallow hard to keep from vomiting. A white mask, Volto's trademark and name stake.

An arm wound around my waist as I began to hyperventilate, anxiety settling in. The aroma of coffee and cinnamon surrounded me and I melted into Marc, unable to tear my eyes away from the ruins of my room. I thought I might have heard Brandon talking urgently, probably into a phone, but I was too consumed by my fear and anxiety to truly pay attention. I gripped at Marc's arm, trying to pry him away so I could have some room to breathe, but he wouldn't budge.

"Sang. Sang, look at me!" A smoky voice insisted.

I reluctantly tore my eyes away from my room and found Axel's dark intense ones, staring me down with concern written across his face. He gripped my shoulders gently and maneuvered himself so he would block the sight of my room. I didn't have the mental capacity to thank him aloud and I hoped he could tell I was thankful by the way I relaxed a little.

"Sang, it's going to be okay," Axel reassured me in a soothing voice, massaging my shoulders to ease away some of my tenseness. "Sean is on his way and he's going to check you over since this amount of anxiety isn't good for you. And I'm going to take care of this. I'm going to take care of you. I promise that I'm going to keep you safe, okay, Sang?"

If it had been anyone else other than Axel Toma speaking these words, I wouldn't have believed them. But there was something about the determination that had come over his face and the unconditional love that filled his eyes when he looked at me that I just knew he meant it. Marc carefully pulled me away from my bedroom and led me into Sean's room, easing me onto the bed. At that point, I wanted to curl up underneath the blankets, to sleep and pretend like none of this was happening.

Marc began to sit next to me, but Brandon called something to him from the doorway and he shot me an apologetic look before stepping out into the hallway. I curled up into a ball, concentrating on the wall, biting my lip so hard that I tasted blood. I couldn't believe that any of this was happening, that this was my life now.

The bed dipped and fingers ran through my hair in a comforting manner. I recognized Axel's touch when I felt and I pressed my back to his side, getting as close as I dared at the moment. No words transpired between us. I whimpered and cried, and Axel remained comforting and supportive, which was all I really needed in the moment.

When Sean arrived, I tried to insist that I was fine, but he still looked me over anyways. He had started doing that lately; whenever I had an attack he checked me over and his green eyes would become dark with concern. I didn't understand it, but I also didn't dare question it. The entire time he checked me over, I stared at the wall and Axel held my hand. By the time Sean was finished, everyone else had arrived and anxiety was overwhelming me again, but I fought it. I intended on keeping a brave face while we discussed a plan.

Owen walked in as Sean was finishing checking me over, and it took everything in me not to launch myself at him, craving the comfort and calm he always brought when I was around him. Instead, I pulled my legs underneath myself and wrapped my arms around my midsection, staring at Owen and waiting for him to instruct us like the fearless leader he was. Owen's usual hard steel eyes became molten silver as he took in my state.

He crouched down before, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Sang," he whispered, his lips drawn down, displeased with the situation but not me. "We're going to sort this out, but for now, at least for tonight, you can't stay here. North and Luke are going to take you to their place, and they're going to stay with you, okay? You're going to be okay. I promise."

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. I bit my lip hard to keep myself rooted in reality, but it was hard as dark thoughts were swimming in my head, desperate drag me beneath their waves and drown me.

"I want to believe you," I said, my voice shaky, fitting well with my trembling body. "But it's hard when your entire life is concaving in. So, please, Owen, please. Tell me it'll be okay, just one more time. I really want to believe you and maybe if you say it again... then... then maybe..."

Owen's frown deepened and he gently cupped my face, keeping my attention on him. I was breathless from my fear and the way he looked at me, his gaz determined and loving. With him, I was safe, and I knew that, so why was I so suddenly doubtful?

"You're going to be okay, I'm personally going to make sure of it. Your mother and Volto will not harm you again as long as we're around. Do you understand?" He said, his voice strong and sure, bringing back some of the confidence that had been lacking since I saw the destructive of my bedroom.

I nodded slowly then fell into his touch, winding my arms around him and hiding my face in his chest. He rubbed my back reassuringly and held me so tightly that my air was constricted, by I didn't protest. We both needed this moment of silent reassurance, a moment to hang on to each other and remember that we were okay.

"I hate to interrupt," Luke's voice drifted from the doorway, soft, sad, and even slightly angry. "But North is getting antsy. He thinks she'll be safer at our place..."

Owen let out a small sigh but pulled away and pressed a lingering kiss to my lips. I almost had the urge to continue to cling to him, but somehow managed to pull myself together and stand, crossing the room and meeting Luke at the door. His melted chocolate eyes were hard, full of disdain towards the situation, and to remind him that I was alright and unharmed, I intertwined our fingers, drawing his attention away from his thoughts.

His eyes flashed down to me and his lips pulled into a small smile, causing both of us to relax some.

"Let's go," he said quietly, drawing me into his side protectively.

"Be careful," Axel called after us as we started down the hall.

Luke's eyes flashed and he ground his teeth. "No one will hurt with us around."

The way he said it sounded like a promise, and that's how I knew he meant it. I somehow just knew, that he would sacrifice himself for me and this knowledge sent chills down my side. So young, and yet so in love. 

A/N: I gave up on editing this half way through because I got excited to post this! Be grateful for this since I had to deal with Kia talking about me calling Brandon daddy because of the first part of the chapter.

Kia, enjoy your dose of Axel.

All my other readers, depending on how much love this gets you may be getting a double update tonight!! And trust me, I wanna double update tonight! Also, I have a surprise coming at you tonight, keep your eyes peeled, birdies!

xoxo,

ry.