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Darius woke up late, running a hand down his face and groaning as he rolled over in bed, looking at the calendar.
Yep. That’s today.
He pulled his blanket over his head, his palismen waking up now too and walking over, the mini abomination confused to his sudden distress.
“Darius?” Hunter was knocking on his door. “It’s 11, are you awake?”
Darius groaned and shoved his blanket off, sitting up. “Yeah sorry, slept in. Is everything alright?” Darius called through his door, rubbing at tired eyes.
“Yeah, sorry, I was just worried you normally don’t sleep in the late.” Hunter called back and Darius heard his footsteps retreating.
He needed to wake up, he knows Hunter doesn’t enjoy being the only one up or alone, no matter how much refused to admit it but Darius’ body felt heavy, exhausted.
His abomination crawled onto him and covered his hair as it often did and Darius dragged himself out of his room, not changing out of his pyjamas.
Hunter gave him a strange look for it but didn’t say anything curled up on the couch with a bowl of cereal, watching a Human cartoon that Luz had shown him on their TV.
Darius grabbed himself a bowl of cereal and joined Hunter on the couch, the blonde curling into his side and Darius let a small smile cracked through his frown, wrapping an arm around his son as they ate in silence.
“Everything okay?” Hunter asked once they had finished, grabbing Darius’ bowl for him and Darius sighed as he did.
“Todays’ Jayo’s death anniversary.” Darius informed and Hunter paused. Jayo was Darius’ previous mentor, the Golden Guard that came before Hunter.
“Oh,” He mumbled as he washed their bowls. “Do you need anything?”
Darius looked over at his son fondly. Darius was used to caring for Hunter or taking care of him on his bad days, it was rare for the younger to have a chance to return the favour.
“Space I think,” Darius mumbled, leaning back against the couch. “I like having time to myself on this day. Just… Having time to mourn, I guess.”
“Okay, I can- I can hand out with Gus if needed?” Hunter suggested and Darius shook his head.
“No, I need space but I don’t want to be alone.” Darius clarified, voice suddenly panicked. “Don’t- Please don’t leave.” He begged and Hunter nodded. “Okay, got it. I’ll just do my homework out here then, I’m here if you need anything.”
“Thanks Little Prince.” Darius mumbled and Hunter smiled as he set up his homework work station (he normally held homework off til Sunday but now seemed fine to work on it, better than doing nothing)
Darius watched some crap television show while Hunter did his work, the two sitting in comfortable silence for an hour until someone knocked on their door. Hunter looked over and Darius stood.
“I got it,” Darius mumbled and opened the door to reveal Alador, standing with a box of something in his hands.
“How are you holding up?” Alador asked and Darius smiled at his boyfriend’s appearance. “Holding up.” Darius echoed as an answer.
“I got you some chocolates from the Human Realm, thought they might help some.” Alador said and Darius let him in. “Thanks dear.”
Alador, despite their years of silence, knew what day it was, and knew that Darius needed his space, but also needed his loved ones surrounding him, so he could make sure they were okay.
It was a hard day for him, it was the day Darius had been left by his mentor, and it also happened to be the day Alador had left him as well all those years ago. Darius needed to make sure the ones he cared for were alright, alive, well, not leaving anytime soon.
Alador had already messaged Raine and Eberwolf over Penstagram, wishing for their presence as well and the two had whole heartedly agreed, not wanting their friend to be anymore distressed than normal.
Alador took a seat next to Hunter and the blonde smiled up at him. “Hey,” Hunter greeted, voice solemn and Alador knew the feeling. The feeling of wanting to help, surround Darius and reassure him he was okay, but Darius wasn’t like them. When he was upset, he needed his space, time to think to himself.
“What are you learning in class?” Alador asked, looking over the work and the two talked in hushed voices about current potion magic Hunter was learning, both mentioning how Edric was better at them both in potions and Alador felt prideful over his son.
The door knocked again and Alador rushed to answer it, Darius looking near tears by now and Eberwolf and Raine entered, Raine carrying a fluffy blanket and a container of food as well (knowing Darius was too exhausted mentally to try and cook and Hunter was banned from cooking since last time he had accidentally blown up the kitchen).
Eberwolf ran over to the couch, checking over Darius and chittering in his language, asking if Darius was alright.
Darius pushed them away some and Eberwolf wasn’t phased as Darius explained how he was feeling, and insisted on his need for space.
Raine handed Darius the blanket and food, joining the other two at the table whereas Eberwolf made themselves comfortable on the opposite side of the couch.
Hunter was staring at Darius with worry etched on his features, hands fidgeting the longer silence went on and Alador reached a timid hand across the table.
“Hey, freaking out helps no one,” Alador said and Hunter nodded, trying to focus on homework.
He wanted to help, help Darius know he was okay, that they were all okay and not leaving him anytime soon, repay the kindness and care that Darius has shown him.
But Darius wasn’t like him, he didn’t accept comfort through hugs and grounding touches, he needed his space to breathe and calm down.
And it just made Hunter antsy because he knew he was helping Darius just by being within visible distance, but he felt like he should be doing more.
An hour of pencil scratching on paper, muffled television and hushed conversations followed, Raine making everyone small snacks every now and the and checking on Darius to make sure he wasn’t stuck in his head.
Darius finally spoke some time after, clutching the blanket around him.
“Hunter?” the blonde has never heard his father’s voice so soft and broken before and he rushed over quickly.
“Hey, dad, I’m here, what do you need?” Hunter asked and Darius pulled him into a hug.
“Just-” Darius voice shook. “Just needed to make sure you’re alright.”
Hunter nodded and held his dad tight until Darius released him, motioning for him to go back to homework.
The rest of the night was the same, uncomfortable almost silence with Darius calling one of them over every now and then to make sure they were alright, alive , not leaving anytime soon.
It didn’t take a genius to realise that after Hunter was called over for the fifth time but Alador hadn’t been called once, that he was avoiding it.
You couldn’t blame him though, it wasn’t just the anniversary of the Golden Guard passing, it was the anniversary of Alador leaving as well.
They may be dating now, and they may have talked about it some, but they haven’t talked about it enough yet, they both still needed time to learn what they exactly wanted to say to the other.
Darius still held that fear Alador would leave him, it was clear as day for the other occupants to see.
As it got darker and later, Raine and Eberwolf got antsy. They needed to go home but didn’t want to leave or worry their friend. Darius seemed to catch on as well, curling in on himself some and adjusting on the couch so his head rested closer to where Eber was curled up.
“Dare?” Raine spoke softly and Darius didn’t acknowledge the other’s presence.
“Eberwolf and I gotta go, it’s getting late.” Raine was gentle in a way none of the other’s could, voice soft and lilt, a touch of tune in their voice as they spoke, like they were about to start singing but it never came.
“Mm,” Darius replied and Raine gently rested a hand on his head. “You can still call us to check up, we won’t hesitate to answer unless we’re sleeping.”
“Mm.” Another uncommittable hum.
“Are you going to be okay with just Hunter and Alador?” Raine was so very gentle and Hunter was almost envious of it.
Darius took a bit longer to reply.
“Mhm,” he finally mumbled and Raine relaxed. “Okay, we’ll stop by tomorrow morning with breakfast, sound good?”
“Mhm.”
Raine and Eberwolf hugged Darius tightly before departing, sending “good luck” glances to the remaining two before leaving.
Hunter was called over twice more for Darius to check, the older man older Hunter’s face to make sure it really was him and he was okay before Hunter ran out of the ability to stall on his homework (really, he’s revised his potion equations three times and he doesn’t know how many times he’ll re-write the word plant before the word makes him sick).
Hunter cleaned up his mess and began to grab snacks when finally Darius’ let out an, almost unheard, “Alador?”
Hunter sighed some, the sigh coming out in a low whistle as Alador rushed to his boyfriend’s side.
Darius gripped onto Alador’s hand, eyes watery, finally tears falling as he held onto Alador for dear life.
Hunter turned so they could have a moment of privacy, Darius letting words of love and care tumblr from his lips as Alador promised he wasn’t going anywhere, not ever again.
Darius called Hunter back over and the blonde rushed to his dad’s side, Darius bringing him into a side cuddle, Alador on his other side and the trio soon fell asleep on the couch, Darius holding them both with so much care.
It was a hard day for Darius, years ago he lost everything and everyone he cared for, he was labelled a freak by his classmates for being able to turn into an abomination, he lost his mentor, his best friend, everyone.
And no matter how long ago it was, no matter how many people he had now that cared for him, even though he had the golden guard and Alador back,
It still hurt.
But his friends and family were there for him, they were there to walk through fire with him and make sure he was okay, make sure he knew they weren’t leaving and they loved him.