Indigo Prophecy

Zack leaned back warily in is seat, deep blue eyes wondering around the large ballroom, as he struggled not to seem completely uncomfortable. Chloe had coerced Laurel into a dance, and to her surprise, he was good at it. Barrack was standing somewhere behind him, miraculously blending in with the wall in a way that only the ex-soldier knew how. Bored, Zack let his eyes wonder the crowd, breathing a sigh of relief when the patron next to him stopped gossiping in favor of one of the noblewoman in Zack’s cousin’s entourage. A flash of copper caught his attention, and he turned his head slightly, eyes instantly connecting with Axis’s who was standing at the kitchen doors. The red head smirked and jerked his head towards the side entrance, clearly telling his best friend to meet him outside.

The young nobleman grinned at the clear challenge, because getting away was obviously easier said then done. But Zack was never one to turn down a dare, especially one from Axis. That in itself possibly made up the entirety of their friendship. He stood, and as Zack suspected, it took all of five seconds for Barrack to appear at his side. “I’m going to the bathroom.” He stated defensively with a ever so slight frown.

He didn’t have to see Barrack’s face to know the ex-soldier had rolled his eyes. “You’re running.”

Zack huffed, giving his guardian an uncharacteristic pout. Barrack’s eyes widened in surprise as Zack flipped his ponytail over his shoulder and moved to face the man. “You don’t trust me?”

“No I don’t.” the guardian stated, the surprise dropping from his face, being replaced with a dry gaze.

The young noble snorted and moved past the large man, patting Barrack’s arm as he went. “It’s not like anyone will notice, they’re too busy paying attention to themselves.” he voiced, giving a wave, grinning when all the ex-soldier did was shuffle his feet instead of following his charge.

Getting past Barrack was the hardest part, and Zack knew from experience if you took the man by surprise or made him feel guilty, he was easy to get around. Not that Zack did it often, but he had been in the mans charge since he was seven.

Zack’s second would-be obstacle was currently being forced to dance again, so that challenge was nonexistent. He slid along the wall to avoid bumping into any of the hundreds of people celebrating his birthday. Did he even know hundreds of people, let alone twenty. This many people and his actual birthday wasn’t even until next week, the only reason the party was being held now was because he was born in the middle of the week long Flower Festival. But he had learned long ago that if you give the nobility class a reason to party, they would do so without reservations. Why have a party during a party when you could have it separated and party ten times longer?

He was almost to one of the side doors before an arm was suddenly around his neck. Zack held back his initial instinct to fight back in favor of the familiarity of the greeting. Besides he knew his captor’s sent, the musky tree smell of growing up in a castle in the middle of a grand forest was unmistakable. He groaned, shoving an elbow high into the elder man’s chest. “Get off me Mikhail.”

There was a snort of barely concealed laughter at the impassive tone., and then the arm disappeared just as quickly as it had found purchase around his neck. “Happy early birthday Cousin.” Another deeper voice interjected, different from the laugh.

Zack twisted on the heels of his boots, crossing his arms across his chest as he went. His cousin, heir to the throne of Austentaria himself, stood close by with a small but vaguely warm smile. Jon Issac Hans II was a quiet but prominent man, only two months older than Zack himself. Like Zack he had raven dark hair, but his was clipped short, barely brushing the top of his shoulders. His dark eyes usually held a bright sparkle, which was the most personality one could get out of the man at any given time, at least that was according to his Zack. The heir was a strong leader, intimidating yet deliberately cool and levelheaded.

The man who had attacked Zack stood at Jon’s side a large grin plastered over his face. Mikhail Kyler was Jon’s bodyguard and self entitled assistant. He was a year older but tended to act years younger. Mikhail was a skilled fighter, the son of the man who taught Barrack everything he knew, but he also tended to be a bit absent minded. Mikhail was typically good natured and playful, but he did loose his temper easily, especially when it came to Jon. His shaggy strawberry blonde hair was short, and hung into vivid hazel eyes, that always seemed to be a different color every time you looked at him.

Jon stood tall, wearing the blue and white Royal regimentals that only he could make look dashing, while Mikhail wore brown leather pants and vest that made him look like he’d be more at home on a horse in the kitchen with Axis. They made an unusual pair, but no one gave it a second glance anymore, Jon was rarely seen without Mikhail.

“My birthday isn’t until next week.” Zack replied with a roll of his eyes, but a small smirk playing at his lips.

“That’s what the ‘early’ was thrown in for dumbass.” Mikhail intoned with a laugh, despite the icy glare Zack shot his way.

“Are you having fun?” Jon’s smooth voice interjected before Zack had a chance to retaliate.

The younger man couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh yeah, TONS of fun.” he stated, his voice dripping in sarcasm that made Jon’s lips quirk in amusement. The prince always made fun of Zack’s intense dislike of formal occasions.

“Were you trying to make an escape?” Mikhail asked curiously, hands on his hips.

Zack frowned, sighing in defeat. “No. I just wanted to go to the bathroom.”

Mikhail didn’t bother trying to hide his smirk, while Jon gave an effortless smile. “Sure you did. Where’s Barrack?” the blonde intoned, looking around with a quirked brow.

“Blending in with the wall somewhere.” Zack shrugged.

“Laurel?” the shorter man pressed.

“Captured by Chloe. Look amongst the dancers.”

“I think we will. I have a few questions for him over those books delivered this morning.” Mikhail noted, pulling on Jon’s arm.

The prince chuckled reaching out to clasp his cousin’s shoulder. Zack looked up to the taller man, slightly confused by the gesture. “Be careful out there. You never know what may happen.” Jon’s cool voice echoed through his head. But before Zack could ask what his cousin had meant, the prince had disappeared among the dancers.

Zack hesitated, contemplating the side door, his escape route, for a long moment. Taking a deep breath, he moved forward, slipping outside, positive that tone in his cousin’s voice nothing out of the ordinary.

The side hallway was empty even of servants. That in itself made Zack hesitate again. This was the main hallway used by the servants going from the rest of the cast to the kitchen. Typically, they’d hold they’re own party in the neighboring courtyard on the lower level. Were they actually using the other hallway? Zack didn’t see why, that hallway hadn’t been officially used since his mother had died. Or at least that’s what Karla, Axis’s mother had told him. Not only that, but, much to the nobleman’s chagrin, Axis was nowhere to be seen.

Zack sighed in frustration, reaching up to rub his neck as he made his way down the hall warily. If Axis wasn’t here, then surely he was in the courtyard. The bastard probably got tired of waiting for him, as per usual.

He was halfway there when a hand clamped over his mouth and pulled him into a nearby, darkened, abandoned hallway just off the main corridor. Zack instantly struggled against his captor only momentarily before a strong arm held his both of his own tight against his side and a familiar voice shushed him when he struggled more. “Will you be quiet?” The voice hissed in pain, when Zack freed an arm enough to push his elbow in the soft spot under his captor’s ribs, getting a small sense of dejavu.

The nobleman froze, but it was a long moment still before the hand fell from his mouth. “Axis? What are you doing?” He demanded, moving to push Axis’s arms from around him.

The man huffed, no doubt refraining from making his usual sarcastic comment or two. “There are intruders in the castle.”

“Care to repeat that?” Zack asked dryly, he had no doubt that this was surely one of his best friend’s jokes and the red head definitely wasn’t serious.

Axis quickly hushed him again, pushing another hand against his mouth, to silence him. Zack growled slightly, not liking this new game his friend was playing at. After another long moment, Axis released him and sighed, turning to stand in front of the noble. Zack finally got a good look at his best friend. Axis’s wavy copper hair was actually pulled back, his warm golden eyes shined with a fierce determination that Zack rarely saw, but the clear apprehension and worry swimming in the yellow depths actually surprised the nobleman. “Promise me you’ll stay here?” Axis asked before Zack had a chance to voice his confusion.

The dark headed man blinked stupidly up at his friend. “Why?”

Axis gave a clearly frustrated sigh, rolling his eyes up to the sky as if praying for patience. “There are intruders in the castle.” He repeated, looking back down at his friend. “You, your family, or your family’s fortune might be the target, for now we don’t know.”

“Do Barrack and Land know?” Zack asked warily, still unsure whether to believe his friend or not, though the anxiety in the gold eyes were hard to find fault in.

Axis shook his head. “One of the foot soldiers just now alerted me to it as he passed, saying he was going to let Land go now.” He stated before frowning and looking away, now clearly upset. “I saw him run halfway to the banquet before he just fell over, no reason.”

Zack let out a deep breath. “What?”

“I don’t know.” the red head shrugged. “It felt like magic though.. Point is Land still doesn’t know, and if Land doesn’t, I highly doubt Barrack does.”

The nobleman paused. That wasn’t a good thing, it wasn’t like Zack couldn’t take care of himself, but his father was too sick to defend himself, and Chloe wasn’t exactly a soldier. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the soldiers guarding his father, but he was still worried. Land, the current Captain in charge of the castle’s forces, was the only person he knew, besides Barrack of course, that was smart enough on his feet to take care of random intruders without knowing who or what they were dealing with. When Zack didn’t respond, Axis pushed him back against the wall. “Promise me you’ll stay here.” He repeated, punctuating every word with a light push to the nobleman’s shoulders.

Zack glared but looked away. Axis sighed and stepped back with a small frown. “I guess that’s as good as I’m going to get?” The dark haired man nodded. “Please stay out of trouble Zack, Laurel would have my head if you got hurt.” Axis reached forward, clasping his friend’s shoulder, much like Jon had done earlier. There was a moment of silence before Axis turned on his heels, stuffing his hands into his pockets and striding off.

Zack let his eyes slip close, reaching up to rub his neck as he listened to his best friends footsteps retreat. They were almost out of hearing range when they stopped and Axis spoke. “Hold on there! I’ve never seen you around here before, are you know?” He asked cheerfully. There was a pause then the unmistakable metallic ringing of a sword sliding out of it’s sheath. “Whoa, hey now! I didn’t say anything about violence.”

Zack tensed, his entire body trembling with the effort to resist running to Axis’s side, inwardly cursing the red head for his stupid promises and himself for actually having the honor to obey.

There was a distinct sound of a struggle, a low threatening voice saying something in a different language, and a lighter pleading voice responded, neither of which belonged to the read head or could be understood. The voices were even too low for Zack to make out what language they were speaking in. Axis obviously did though, because Zack clearly heard his best friend snap back in the same tongue. There was another struggle, then the clear sound of glass shattering and Axis yelling.

Zack didn’t hesitate. Screw promises, it’s not like he gave Axis a definite answer or anything. He left his hiding place in the small shadowed hallway and rushed down the main corridor. The sight that greeted him made the nobleman stop in surprise, even though he knew what he had heard, it still took him aback. One of the long windows that lead to the cliffs of the cove below was shattered. Standing in front of it was two figures. The taller figure was skinny with short, spiky, almost white blonde hair that reflected the moonlight coming in. He was leaning against his long sword, almost lazily, eyeing the broken window with unabashed amusement. The shorter figure standing next to him spotted Zack instantly. The nobleman couldn’t tell, but he was sure that the person was a girl, the long blonde hair and soft curves of the face, not to mention the wide blue eyes that seemed almost terrified as the stranger clapped their hands over their mouth.

The taller man finally noticed him, glancing over lazily. Had Zack not been horrified by the thought that Axis had probably gone through the window, he would have been deeply angry at the way the blonde man’s dark eyes roamed over him, dark eyes meeting Zack‘s own, a small grin forming on the blonde’s thin lips. As it were, the emotion or action hadn’t quite reached his shocked brain to override the initial concern for his friend. He desperately wanted to rush to the window to verify whether Axis had gone through, but as it were he’d be in reach of the blonde’s sword.

“So you are Lord Zachariah Kell huh? Nothing like I expected, nor what that princely sonofabitch made you out to be.” The blonde’s low voice confirmed the first voice Zack had heard. “How ironic that you’d come to us, and here I thought we’d have a long grueling process of having to find you.” To Zack’s surprise the blonde bowed, making it obviously mocking. “I thank you for the help. Now how should we go about this? The hard way or the easy?”

“Who are you and what do you want?” Zack growled.

The blonde narrowed dark eyes. “The hard way huh?” He shrugged, hefting his sword easily into one hand, the atmosphere around the skinny man seeming to spark with unbridled energy. “No matter, I prefer the hard way, and I always thought it would be easier killing you then having to worry about protecting you.”

“Liam, No!” The shorter, feminine one instantly argued. “That would be going against the Captain’s orders. Besides, it would completely undo all the work we’ve done so far.”

Liam, the spiky blonde, obviously wasn’t happy with that. But he submitted with a huff and a roll of his eyes. “Fine, you take care of it before I do.” He growled, the electricity around him dying.

The shorter one surprised Zack by giving sighing as if dealing with a child throwing a fit, and then turning to give a surprisingly sincere and polite bow towards the nobleman. “I’m deeply sorry for this Lord Zachariah.”

The initial surprise shocked Zack so much that he hardly realized the short intruder was standing next to him until a soft hand was against his forehead. The next thing he knew he was slipping into his subconscious.


=============


The first thing Zack was aware of as he came too was the painful pounding echoing throughout his head, making his entire world rock. He didn’t even get as far as opening his eyes before he felt it. Just how much did he drink the night before? He groaned and tried to lift one heavy hand to rub the ache out of his forehead, but found it too heavy to move. “Oh! You’re awake!”

The warm voice was only vaguely familiar, and defiantly didn’t belong to Laurel’s like the nobleman expected. Laurel always watched him, and never usually allowed him to drink a lot, and when Zack did, Laurel was typically there to take care of him. “It must be painful, I’m sorry, I put a bit more magic into the spell than I meant to. There’s some medicine here when you feel up to it.” the kind voice continued.

Zack froze, his entire body painfully tensing as the events from the night before came crashing back to his mind. He tried to crack one eye open before shutting it again tightly and hissing in pain. It was at least assuring him that he wasn’t dead. If you were dead could you still feel pain? “I’m really sorry!” the voice said again, almost sounding on the verge of panicking.

The nobleman forced himself to calm down. “Who are you?” he inquired, inwardly wincing at how dry his mouth was, making his voice sound husky and harsh.

There was a shuffling sound, before something cold and wet appeared at his mouth. “Drink, I promise it’s just water.” Zack hesitated before tilting his head back so the strange voice could poor some water down his throat. The water was so cold that it burned at first as it hit his dry mouth and throat, but it was quickly replaced by soothing relief. “Micah.”

“Micah?”

There was a pause and then the stranger chuckled. “Yes. That’s my name. I’m Micah.”

Zack stayed quiet for a long moment, weighing his options. His head still pounded, and even the brief flicker of his eyelids sent a searing pain through his head and body. “Do you have a family name Micah?” he asked, trying to get a feel of his care-giver.

There was a long silence, to the point where Zack was sure Micah had left, despite the facts that he hadn’t heard any footsteps. “I suppose I do.”

The nobleman frowned. “You suppose?”

Micah gave a small noise of consent. “I don’t remember what it is.”

“You… forgot?” Zack asked, not bothering to hid his confusion.

There was a wry chuckle from the stranger. “I wouldn’t quite say that. I just don’t remember. I don’t remember anything from my childhood really.”

Zack couldn’t help it, he was curious. He knew that this Micah person was one of the people who had kidnapped him and potentially killed his best friend, but this person’s tone was kind and warm, and it didn’t seem the least bit threatening. Suddenly he really wanted to know what Micah looked like. He ventured opening his eyes. After drinking the ice water it didn’t seem as bad but it was still painful. “Would you like to try the medicine now?”

The nobleman hesitated before nodding. He figured that if Micah wanted to kill him, he could have done it when he had a chance upon capturing him. He felt another cup at his lips and obediently lifted his head. The thick syrupy liquid that met his tongue was bitter but not as bad as half the concoctions forced down his throat as a child. Almost instantly the pounding resided and the heaviness lifted, though for some reason his world still seemed to be slowly rocking. Deep blue eyes blinked open.

He was lying in what seemed to be a wayward infirmary. There was a white curtain drawn, hiding one half of the room from his view. He turned, knowing there was someone warily watching his every move. Micah was sitting on a stool beside his bed. From what Zack could tell, his care giver was short with long, dirty blonde hair, bangs grown out to cover his right eye. His visible eye was a vivid bright blue orb watching him intently. Zack dimly remembered him as the figure who had bowed to him before he lost consciousness. “Micah?”

The blonde smiled warmly and nodded. “Yes. It’s nice to meet you Lord Zachariah, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Zack made a face at the use of his formal name. “It’s Zack, and just Zack… none of that Lord shit.” Micah looked surprised at that, starring at the nobleman with one wide cautious eye. Zack blinked. “What?”

“You’re… being awfully nice to me.” Micah ventured carefully as if afraid of upsetting the dark haired man.

Zack furrowed his brow. “Why shouldn’t I?”

It was Micah’s turn to frown, which looked odd on the soft face. “”Well, we did kidnap you.” He reminded softly, his voice defeated.

The dark haired man looked away, frown forming as if bitter from being reminded. “and killed Axis.”

Micah suddenly looked horrified, visible blue eye swimming with unshed emotion. “Axis?”

Zack nodded. “That red headed bastard you met before me.”

“OH!” Micah jumped up. “That’s his name!” he stated moving to the curtain and pushing it aside. “I’ve been to busy making sure he doesn’t die to ask the big guy his name.”

With the curtain open Zack got a full view of the other side of the room. There was a window high on the wall, giving a full view of a clear blue sky, sending in soft waves of sunlight. Axis lay in a second bed, his breathing shallow. There was a bandage around his head, and several scratches were etched into the small amount of skin that Zack could see from where he lay.

Zack let out a deep breath of air, the lines around his eyes disappearing as he relaxed considerably. “He’s okay?”

Micah grinned and nodded, slowly sitting back down. “With a lot of rest, he’ll be as good as new. If not better, under my care.”

“How did he survive that fall?”

Micah looked confused for a moment before gasping. “Oh right! The small one caught him!”

Zack quirked a brow, unable to help feeling amused by the blonds antics. “Small one? Caught him?”

“Yep. Your mage, the small one. He’s very talented.” the blonde replied nodding enthusiastically.

The nobleman tilted his head on his pillow. “My mage? You mean Laurel?” When Micah nodded again, Zack sat up some. “You brought him too?”

Micah gave a small nervous laugh. “Well when he saw what we were up too, after catching your Axis, he put up quite a bit of a fight. I ended up having to sneak up on him and do the same thing I did to you…” he trailed off and flushed darkly, reaching up to rub his neck. “Only he was resisting so much that I accidentally used twice the magic I should have. He’s very strong. I’m afraid he’ll be out for a while still.”

“He’s here?”

The small blonde nodded again. “Yeah, in the next room.”

Zack hummed, pushing himself further up so he was sitting back against the pillows, his head reeling with the rocking motion that was still making dizzy. “So are you like a doctor?”

Micah chuckled. “I suppose… I’m this ship’s healer. I like that title better.”

Zack started at that. “Ship?”

The blonde blinked. “Yes, ship.”

“We’re on a ship?”

Micah looked down right confused now. “Yes, did you not notice the rocking?”

The dark headed nobleman flushed in embarrassment. “I thought it was just my head.” He admitted with a small sheepish grin, running a hand through his long hair, which, he dimly noted, was loose and no longer in its ponytail, although he was still wearing his tunic and black pants.

The healer laughed, and opened his mouth to reply when a low groan caught both of their attentions and redirected it too the sleeping man in the other bed. Axis’s face was screwed up in obvious pain. Micah stood instantly, sending Zack an apologetic glance. “Sorry, I need to give your friend something to help with the pain.”

Zack waved an eager hand. “Go ahead please.”

The blonde healer moved to a table near the end of Zack’s bed, drawing the nobleman’s attention to it for the first time. He started mixing something, his back turned to Zack, which mildly surprised the dark haired man. For a kidnapper, Micah was extremely trusting. “Micah?” The blonde turned his head to show he was listening. “Can you tell me why I’m here?”

The healer turned, a cup in his hand and a faint blush across his cheeks. “No.. I’m sorry, it’s not mine to tell.” He stated, giving a slight bow in apology.

Zack couldn’t help but offer a small smile. “I figured that much.” He replied as Micah moved towards Axis, who was groaning again, as well as stirring in pain.

The nobleman watched curiously as the healer brought his hand to the back of Axis’s head, tilting it back so that he could slowly pour the medicine down Axis’s throat.

The following few moments were a blur in Zack’s mind. Axis’s eyes opened instantly registering his surroundings, including the blonde standing over him. The next thing either nobleman or healer knew, the red head was up, the cup of medicine flying from Micah’s hand as the healer was forced around with a cry of pain, Axis’s strong arm tight around his neck. The blonde’s first instinct was to reach up and pull at Axis’s grip, clawing at the arm in effort to try and release the pressure blocking his wind pipes.

Zack was up on his feet in an instant, reaching forward to take a firm hold on his friend’s wrist. “Axis, let go, he’s a friend.”

“He’s one of the ones that sent me out the window.” the red head growled.

Zack tugged on Axis’s wrist when Micah gave a desperate gasp for air. The struggle had moved his hair and he was now starring at Zack with two wide, terrified and pleading eyes. There was a long jagged scar across his right eye, making that one slightly duller in color than it’s partner. It was now obvious as to why Micah grew his hair the way he did. Zack stored his curiosity away for later questioning in favor for the current emergency. “Axis, he’s the only reason you’re alive right now, please let go.”

Hesitation flickered behind the smoldering gold gaze. Zack gave another hard tug and his friend finally relented, allowing his arm to be pulled away and sending Micah flying forward, gasping for breath. Zack caught the healer, turning him and gently sitting the blonde down on Zack’s bed. “Stop gasping. Take a slow deep breath.” He instructed the blonde, hands on either side of Micah’s head, supporting him as he struggled to regain his breath.

As Micah’s breath evened out, Zack released the blonde, pushing the cup of water the healer had given him earlier into Micah’s hands. He made sure that the blue had left the healers cheeks before turning to face his best friend, his hands on his hips. Axis was sitting back on his own bed watching the healer cautiously. “Apologize.” Zack demanded.

Axis raised one copper brow. “Apologize to one of the men who tried to kill me?”

Zack rolled his eyes. “At least thank him for saving your life and then you can go grovel to Laurel for the same thing.”

The red head gave him a long dry look before sighing in frustration. “Yes my Lord.” he stated sarcastically before turning angry gold eyes onto Micah, who was watching the interaction curiously, rubbing his sore neck. The blonde’s hair was back over his scarred eye, the one visible bright blue orb wet in unspoken pain. “Thank you for saving my life.” he stated dryly.

Zack huffed. “Axis!” he growled in warning.

“Zack, it’s okay.” Micah interjected, his voice raw and hoarse. “I don’t deserve even that much.” He continued standing, brushing off Zack’s moves to insist he stay still. “You’ve opened your wound.” Micah said at long last, inspecting the red head. His eye showed clear worry, but his tone was distinctly frustrated.

Axis looked down. He was shirtless, long thick bandages were wrapped tightly around his stomach, a dark red spot appearing to his side. Micah approached and then quickly caught himself when gold eyes quickly snapped back up to him. “May I please change your bandages before you bleed to death and we have to start the process over again?”

The red head glanced briefly at Zack who was looking at him sternly, hands back on his hips, though the softness of the dark depths of his eyes betrayed his worry. He sighed and grudgingly nodded, sitting back further in the bed. Micah silently got to work, pulling a small portable table full of clean bandages, various bottles of medicines and a bowl of clean water over.

“So who exactly can tell me why we’re here?” Zack asked sitting back down on his own bed, crossing his legs underneath him.

Axis hissed in pain as Micah pulled away the soiled bandages and started to gently clean the newly seeping blood of the vivid gash along Axis’s abdomen. “The Captain and his guests.”

Zack furrowed his brow at the hesitant, almost guilty way Micah uttered those words. “When can I talk with the Captain?”

“I was going to go alert him you were awake after I gave Axis his next does of pain medication.” Micah replied with a slight flush. He was applying some paste-like substance to Axis’s wound that made the red head bite his lip to keep from crying out in pain.

“Are we prisoners?”

Micah glanced over with a frown. “No! Of course not!” he exclaimed as if surprised that Zack would think such a thing. He was pressing some gauze against the gash, before urging Axis to sit up and raise his arms so he could wrap some bandage tightly around his stomach. “This is so much easier to do with you awake.” He commented idly before glancing back at the nobleman. “You’ll understand when you talk to the Captain.

“That spiky haired asshole you were with at the castle?” Zack asked frowning.

A flash of anger that looked extremely out of place crossed the blonds face. “No… that was Liam. Ignore his very existence, life’s easier that way.” he replied, bitterness lacing his tone as he finished wrapping the bandage around the red head and urging him to lay back down. Micah moved to mix another cup of pain solution.

“It’ll be hard to ignore his existence when I’m trying to kill him.” Axis bit out at the blonde’s turned back.

Micah sighed patiently, as if he dealt with this type of attitude daily, and judging by the spiky blonde the night before, Zack assumed Micah probably did. “Please refrain from doing so, I’ve already filled my ‘bring back to life’ quota for the year.” He stated tonelessly, shoving the cup into Axis’s face before the red head could retort. “Drink, it’ll help with the pain and make resting easier. Which you WILL do.” Micah all but ordered.

He turned when Axis took the cup, grumbling under his breath. “You couldn’t have given this to me before you changed the bandage?”

“I tried, you knocked it out of my hand.” Micah instantly responded, bending to clean up the mess Axis had made when the first cup fell from Micah‘s hands, looking up to find Zack watching him with a quirked brow. The blonde blushed slightly, reaching up to rub his neck, seemingly a nervous gesture. “Sorry I’m used to having to deal with very stubborn charges, especially ones with attitudes.” he offered with a small smile.

Zack chuckled. “No it’s fine, you just remind me a lot of Laurel when dealing with an injured Axis as well.”

“Is that a good thing or bad thing?”

The dark headed nobleman shrugged. “A good thing I think, but at the same time bad… Laurel can be scary when he wants.” Zack replied shaking his head.

Micah nodded, standing and throwing the soiled towel into a small bin by the large table. “I noticed.” he hesitated before taking the cup Axis wordlessly handed him. “Feel any better?” The redhead gave another grudging nod, turning his face away, towards the window. “I thought so. I’m going to go tell the Captain that you’re awake.” He told Zack, setting the cup on the table and giving the nobleman a small bow. “Please get some rest, both of you.” he continued, moving out the door.