(just a notice, I have a new username! I'm now juliaxwrites... someone who hasn't been on in six years has just "juliawrites" so there's my luck but I just wanted all of you to know so you aren't confused! I was tired of my cringy, 2012 username, haha. oh, also this is **unedited** and short because I'm a flop. oh well... hope you enjoy anyways xx)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

"WE SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE now," Evelyn says, or moreso mumbles with Harry's lips detaching and reattaching with hers. She can't push him away even though she knows she needs too. Poor Talon may be outside the door for all they know.

"We probably should," Harry murmurs back, kissing her again, their chests together.

She slides her hands down from his hair onto his shoulders. "Harry, really." But she laughs when he cuts her off with yet another kiss.

Harry pouts, pulling away only far enough to press their foreheads together. "I've been waiting to kiss you for months, Evelyn."

She blushes, but covers it up by flicking him in the nose. "Well, if things go according to plan, you'll have years to make up for it."

He scrunches his nose when she taps it again. She swears it's the cutest thing she's ever seen in her life. "Don't flick me."

"Why not?"

"It makes me feel like I'm five."

She flicks his nose.

"Evelyn."

She does it once more.

He gives her a look that makes her burst into a fit of giggles. She's not sure where all this sudden glee came from, but it's a blissful escape. She knows it won't last. It never does. But she treasures it while it's here, even if her giggling makes her look borderline insane.

"Stop laughing at me," he says, but he's smiling too, and soon he's laughing along with her. Her arms circle around his neck while his wrap tightly around her waist. She shoves her face in his chest, her tears from laughing soaking through but he doesn't stop her. Somehow she manages to calm down. He does too. Neither of them move.

He rests his chin on her shoulder, his face in her hair. "I love you," he whispers so quietly, she may not have heard it were she not planning on saying the same.

"I love you too." She doesn't raise her head from his shirt. She's scared to. Their exchange sounded far too much like a goodbye, like this is their last moment to be together. She doesn't want him to let her go. She doesn't want to let him go.

"Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"We'll be okay, right?"

In response, he places a feather-light kiss on her neck.

She closes her eyes in peace, but clutches him as if to save herself from falling.

She feels like she is.

Like they all are.

"Evelyn," he says, having to forcefully tug her shoulders to pry her off him. He looks at her with such concern. It makes her nauseous. He intertwines their fingers, raising her knuckles to his lips. "We'll be okay."

God, she hopes he's right.

"No one," she starts, then has to take a deep breath and start again. "No one else is going to die."

He wishes he could agree with her. She can see it so plainly on his face that he wants to agree, wants to nod along.

He doesn't.

***

Micah glares off in the distance, his jaw set tight. He can hear them coming. He knew as well as Harry that they would be. The doctor didn't have to order them for them to arrive--it's protocol for them. Always has been. If a leader goes missing for more than a couple of hours, a militia is set to bring them back. Not just a rescue mission, but to bring hell onto the people who captured their captain.

Micah had been in one of those militias once when Harry had gone missing during an exclusive mission assigned only to him in Europe. He doesn't remember what country. They'd stormed and invaded too many at that point to keep track of them all. Turned out, though, that Harry had gotten friendly with the prime minister and the prime minister had invited him to stay for tea. He failed his mission that day, and disappointed the doctor further when he refused to let the militia raid the prime minister's home. Micah can't stomach the remembrance of Harry's punishment.

He tries to pick out each pair of footsteps so he can get an accurate read on what they're up against. He can't. He's not Harry. He doesn't have the skill. It frustrates him to no end, knowing he can't properly prepare himself. Knowing he can't properly protect anyone.

Killian walks up beside him. Micah doesn't have to look to know it's him. He could smell the lingering pine on the younger boy before he'd even taken a step closer.

"Is it bad?" Killian asks in a soft voice, his shoulder rubbing against Micah's.

Micah chews the inside of his cheek. "I can't tell," he forces out through gritted teeth.

Killian turns to him, but Micah knows better than to meet his gaze. "This isn't your fault," he says, already knowing that Micah believes it is.

Micah clenches his jaw tighter. His teeth ache. He doesn't care. He just wants to be able to protect those he loves. Why can't he ever do that?

"Micah."

Don't look at him.

"Micah."

You know you'll crack. Don't do it.

Killian grips Micah's chin, but Micah snatchs his face out of his grasp. Killian blinks at him. Micah hasn't been so hostile towards him since the two first met.

He tries again, impossibly softer, as if Micah is a cornered animal he's trying to calm before it rages. "Micah, talk to me. I don't know what you think you have to keep from me, but I promise--"

"You need to leave."

Killian's lips part. "W-what?"

Micah grips the railing of the balcony, glaring down at his whitened knuckles. "You need to steal a horse and get as far away from here as you can."

Killian tries to laugh it off, but it comes out as more of a scoff. "Are you serious? I'm not leaving you."

Micah slams his hand down on the railing, causing Killian to jump. "Dammit, Killian, this isn't some cliche film where you have to stay by my side. You're leaving whether you want to or not."

"I don't understand why you're acting like this. We've been through worse together, with even smaller chances!"

Micah drags a hand through his hair, trying to control his temper. "Why are you so stubborn? Just listen to me for once."

"No." Killian places his hand atop Micah's, fearless as he's always been to Micah's anger. "I'm staying because I love you, not because I feel obligated."

Micah can't process the words. He's never heard them before.

"I'm scared," he whispers, two words he's heard but has never uttered himself before. "I'm scared I can't protect you." He doesn't care that his voice cracks. He needs Killian to understand.

I love you too.

The words feel like lead on his tongue.

Killian smiles that ridiculously charming smile of his. "Micah..."

"Don't," he snaps, unintentionally. "Just... don't look at me like that. Don't treat me like I'm a kid that needs coddling."

"You're acting like one, though," Killian teases.

Micah growls in reply.

"Aww, my grumpy little seven year old. Do you need a timeout?"

Micah sighs in exhaustion. "I can't believe I put up with you sometimes."

Killian grins wider and takes Micah's face in his hands. "You put up with me because you love me too. You don't have to say it. I can see it in your eyes clear enough."

"Who knew eyes were so expressive," Micah mutters sardonically, but of course Killian hears.

"Fine. If you don't believe me..." Killian purses his lips in thought, then says. "If you don't love me, take a step back. If you do love me, kiss me."

Micah's heart falters at the word, his cheeks feeling warm suddenly. It isn't a question and Killian knows it. Micah hesitates only because he's nervous, then leans forward and connects their lips. He feels Killian smile.

"That," Killian whispers when Micah pulls aways. "That's why I trust you with my life. Because you love me."

"I do," Micah manages in an equally small voice. Then, to make himself less embarrassed, he adds, "And God only knows why."

***

All the kids sit groggily on the same bed, practically sitting on top of each other. Erik, Locke, and Max stare back of them with solemn looks. A guard had just sent word that an army was heading their way. The three had expected it because of what Harry had said, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with. All of them were tired of going in circles.

"We have something to say..." Max glances to the others for help, but Erik is too busy angrily grinding his teeth, and Locke looks on the verge of tears.

Max sighs, avoiding any of the children's direct gaze. "There's a fight coming here... It may be a big one, it may not. But--"

"What?" Robbie asks, bottom lip already wobbling. "Another one, already?"

Maxie rubs her temples. "Bad," she whispers. "Bad bad bad."

Caroline, Robbie, and Sasha all exchange petrified looks with Maxie's grumbles.

"Now, now," Max says, trying to keep them calm. "It's going to be all right. Erik and Locke are going to escort all of you somewhere safer while we still have time--"

"I can't leave Harry and Eve already!" Sasha outbursts. "I just found them after so much time away. I'll fight with them."

Max feels his chest tighten. "None of you are fighting. This isn't a matter children should be involved in."

Sasha jumps off the bed onto her feet. "I was trained to fight in wars in Wolf's camp. I'll be fine. I can help."

Erik catches Sasha's wrist as the sassy little girl tries to storm out the room. "Sasha," he whispers, his own eyes glossy. "You can't fight in this."

Sasha blinks at him. "Yes, I can. I'm not going to leave them."

"Sasha," Locke croaks, tear streaks already lining his cheeks. "Please."

Sasha looks between the two, her breathing becoming uneven. "But... But... I can't... I don't want to lose them."

Erik kneels and brings the little girl into his arms.

Robbie tugs Max's shirt. "Eve is like my sister too," he says, looking up at Max with wide, helpless eyes.

Max doesn't know how to comfort people his own age, much less children. He tries to mimic Erik by kneeling, but then he doesn't know what to say once he's on the boy's level. He spits out whatever comes to mind. "Don't worry, little guy. I'm going to stay with Evie and make sure she's okay, yeah?"

"She can be both our sister, right?"

"Of course she can. Besides..." Max leans in close like he's telling a secret. "She gets on my nerves sometimes."

Robbie giggles, wiping under his eyes though no tears have shed yet. "I'm going to tell her you said that."

Max gasps. "No!"

Robbie giggles harder.

Max smiles to himself. Maybe it isn't so hard to comfort kids after all.

Caroline comes up to hold Robbie's hand. "It's okay, Robs. Eve and Harry are like, invincible, so we don't have anything to worry about."

Robbie squints. "Invinca-what?"

Caroline ruffles his hair. "Their like superheroes, silly! They can't be hurt."

Despite the girl's reassuring words, Max feels his heart sink as his stomach churns with dread.

Little girl, I sure hope you're right.