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The night was quiet in Vox Machina's keep. Most of the members had already retired to their chambers, seeking respite from the endless battles and adventures that seemed to define their lives. Even if their most recent one was a bit too exhausting. 

 

 

Each member sleeping next to a friend for safer keeping. None of them truly wishing to be alone. 

 

 

1 Hour Before: 

 

 

"I don't quite see the logic in having to share a room." Percy declared to Vox Machina the night after their, interesting quest. "I appreciate your kindness, truly. But the demon is gone, an- and I just don't see why you all insist on watching my every move." 

 

 

"Because we care, Darling." Vex'ahlia calmy states as she gently grasps Percy's shoulder. "And we made a promise to be here for you."

 

 

"Yeah! Bunk Buddies!" Exclaimed Grog 

 

 

"You know it old friend." Pike fully supporting her best bud.

 

 

Percy looked into Vex's determined eyes, then to the rest of his frien- no family. Before reluctantly nodding. (Though he was not happy about this mind you.) Though smiling slightly at the loud cheer made from his companions. 

 

 

His new-found family all gave him wide smiles before deciding that every night they would all bunk with each other. First Pike, Grog, and Scanlan, then Keyleth, Vex, and Trinket, and finally Percy and Vax. 

 

 

It was actually Vax's idea to bunk with Percy first, much to everyone's surprise. While the two don't hate each other by a long shot, they barely hang out or have anything in common. They just guessed this would be a good way for the two to bond, so there were no open objections. 

 

 

They finally all said their good nights before leaving to set up each other's rooms. Percy sighing as he set his glasses on a small bedside table next to a small dagger he kept in his belt. While he doesn't expect to be attacked in his new home again, they do have many enemies so its best to be careful. 

 

 

And with the lack of his usual proper defense, that would have to do.

 

 

"Well sorry I only got the one bed, Freddy." Vax said, jumping onto his side of his actually fairly large bed. "Hope you don't get too uncomfortable."

 

 

Percy turned to see Vax's blurry yet wide grin. "Do not be worried, I am a sound sleeper." He said in his usually stoic voice, "I am sure this bed would suffice for the night."

 

 

"Whatever you say de Rolo" He gave a small shrug before turning away with one last goodnight. With his exhaustion he was peacefully snoring within a couple minutes. 

 

 

Percy gave a fond shake of his head before he too fell back in an attempt to fall into a peaceful sleep. 

 

 

Present Time:

 

 

Percival de Rolo, however, found no solace in his so-called "peaceful" sleep. Instead, he was haunted by the ghosts of his past, tormented by memories he had long since tried to bury.

 

 

In the darkness of Vax's room, Percy thrashed in his sleep, tangled in the sweat-soaked sheets of the shared bed.

 

 

His eyes darted beneath his closed eyelids as he relived the horrors of his past. Flames consumed his family's home, and the cries of his loved ones echoed in his ears. The smell of burning flesh and the taste of ash filled his senses. He tried to escape, but the flames held him, burning away his very soul.

 

 

Until he saw them again, flashes of his torture, the ruin of both his home and family, the helplessness he felt when he nearly destroyed another group he so desperately loved.

 

 

The very thing he had tried for years to escape from.

 

 

"YOU HAVE FAILED US SON!" He could hear the strangled cries of his mother.

 

 

SORROW. 

 

 

"And I'd Thought You'd Come Back To Check." The disappointed look from his sister after a short reunion. 

 

 

GUILT.

 

 

"Some Folks You Kill Cause Your Ordered To, Them I Killed Cause I Wanted To." The joy he received after killing Stonefell.

 

 

RAGE.

 

 

"We're ALL Sons of Bitches de Rolo! You In Particular, From That Bitch Who Bore You!" His formerly trusted teacher. Now laying dead on the sidewalk.

 

 

VENGENCE.

 

 

"I'm Afraid You Overestimate My Willingness In This Endeavor." Ripley, that lying snake.

 

 

BLOOD. 

 

 

"Would You Look At That Dear, It's The Pup Who Survived. ALL GROWN UP." The rage that bubbled after even seeing her face. 

 

 

SHOCK.

 

 

"These Swine Refuse To Die." Her no good husband, trying to hurt his family, again.

 

 

BLINDNESS.

 

 

"Darling, take off the mask." The desperate plea from his closest friend.

 

 

PLEA.

 

 

"YOU KNOW WHO TO TRUST, PERCIVAL." That. Damn. Demon.

 

 

ORTHAX.

 

 

"NO!" Percy cried out in his sleep, his voice a raw scream of agony. He jolted upright, his breath coming in gasps as he struggled to shake off the nightmare. No, not a nightmare, his own cruel past that has yet again come to haunt him. His heart raced, and his body trembled with fear and familiar hatred. 

 

 

In his disoriented state, Percy's hand shot out, and his fingers closed around the blurry hilt of the dagger he had set on the bedside table. Completely forgetting where he was or who he was with. He couldn't take that chance, couldn't let his guard down again.

 

 

He swung it blindly, the blade flashing in the moonlight that filtered through Vax's open window. It was only when he heard a sharp, pained gasp that he realized what he had done.

 

 

The blade had found its mark in the darkness, and Percy's eyes widened as he saw Vax'ildan, his friend, some might even say brother, clutching his side in agony. Blood oozed from the wound, staining the clean sheets a deep crimson.

 

 

"Oh gods, Vax! I- I- I'm so sorry!" Percy stammered, scrambling out of bed. Dropping the bloodied dagger on the floor with a soft clunk. 

 

 

VAX'S BLOOD, YOUR FAULT.

 

 

He quickly rushed to Vax's side. Blindly fumbling for a healing potion on a nightstand and quickly pouring it over the wound, his hands shaking with added guilt and fear.

 

 

His vision being almost gone by the mixture of the darkness, not having his glasses, and the slight trickle of tears that tumbled from his distraught face. 

 

 

Vax groaned in pain but managed to give Percy a weak smile. "It's all right, Freddy. Accidents happen. It'll heal, but more importantly are you alright? Friend."

 

 

But Percy couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of guilt that washed over him. How could Vax call him his friend when he had just attacked him!? How could he be so nonchalant and worry about Percy of all people when he was the one injured.

 

 

This was more than just an accident; it was a manifestation of the demons that had plagued him for years. He couldn't keep hiding his past from his friends, not when it had come so dangerously close to killing one of them. Again.

 

 

As he reluctantly finished tending to Vax's wound (With his glasses back on, he couldn't risk hurting the poor man anymore.)

 

 

Percy felt his throat tighten with emotion. "Vax, I can't possibly express how sorry I am," he whispered, his voice heavy with regret. "If there's anything I could do please do name it. I know you are not much of a fan of my science but if I could help please let me pay for my mistake."

 

 

His head was bowed deeply. Showing much more vulnerability than Vax had ever seen from the usually proud man.

 

 

Vax'ildan looked up at him, his features showing both remorse and worry. 

 

 

Percy believed that he didn't truly deserve his kindness.

 

 

"Ya know Freddy," Vax looked at him with a small encouraging smile, "If you really want to pay me back for the itty bitty little stab wound."

 

 

Percy looked at him with bright eyes. Hoping to get the chance to truly earn his friend's trust and forgiveness again.

 

 

"Well I just thought that neither of us want to go back to sleep, so if you want to of course,  we could sneak to the kitchen to get some nice Cocoa. And maybe you could tell me why you were restlin with my sheets at ass-o'clock in the morning."

 

 

Percy took a deep breath, his hands trembling. He couldn't find the words so he just nodded, helping Vax up as they slowly made their way to the open kitchen.

 

 

Percy sat Vax down in a chair as he got a kettle boiling while grabbing two mugs and the proper ingredients for cocoa and a long night.

 

 

"Well while we wait for that ol kettle to boil." Vax started with a happy grin but soon turned serious yet encouraging, "You mind telling me why you were so freaked out tonight?" 

 

 

Percy turned to face him. Words being jumbled on the edge of his tongue as he tried to form a coherent sentence. The dry salty tears on his cheeks, the cold sweat on his usually perfect clothing, the image of Vax's blood on his dagger.

 

 

He at first gave a short shake of his head, turning back to the kettle. Minutes passed in the fairly silent room, with the only noises being Grog's loud snoring, the rustling wind from outdoors.

 

 

Some more time passed until the kettle was ready, with Percy silently preparing their late night drink.

 

 

After he was finished with two mugs, he walked over to Vax. Gently setting his glass down in front of him before sitting down himself. Nervously nursing his steaming drink attempting to find the words to explain his actions that night.

 

 

All the while Vax was patient, opting to slowly sip his drink until he heard Percy quietly clear his throat. 

 

 

Percy did not face him. Though as he had finally found the courage to speak the words he had kept locked away for so long. "I had a nightmare, Vax. A nightmare about my family's death, my revenge, my part in nearly killing you all. I've been haunted by it for years, and I've barely told anyone. I thought I could bury it, but tonight…tonight it almost got you killed."

 

 

Vax'ildan's expression softened, and he reached out to place a reassuring hand on Percy's shoulder. "Percy, you don't have to carry that burden alone. We're here for you, always."

 

 

Percy looked up in shock, "But how could you be!" His voice rising in desperation. Gently swatting Vax's hand away,  "You all are not obligated to stay with me. I've proven that I am nothing but a danger, a- a  Curse! So how could you all possibly stay? You know I tried to truly kill myself right! I felt so helpless. Too helpless."

 

 

Tears welled up in Percy's eyes as he finally let his insecurities out. Desperately trying to find the answer to a question he should already know. 

 

 

"Because you big-brained idiot, we love you. And there is very very little you could do to change that. I mean very little." He set both hands on Percy's shoulders, forcing him to look him in the eyes.

 

 

"And the fact that you stopped yourself from shooting my sister, that you favored her life over your own says a lot. While I think you desperately need some therapy. I need you to look at me now and tell me that I'm lying to you when I say that we all truly care for you."

 

 

So Percy looked, trying to find any form of deception before realizing there was none. And he nodded, releasing the tension in his body that has been there since he was young. Finally allowing himself to lean on his brother for support. Letting out a few stray tears, though this time of relief. Of love.

 

 

"Thank you, Vax. I don't know what I'd do without you. Without any of you."

 

 

"Anytime Freddy, anytime."

 

 

Then in that moment, as the two sat together in the quiet of the night, Percy felt an unbearable weight lift from his shoulders. He had finally taken the first steps into confronting his past and letting his loved ones in. It wouldn't be an easy journey, but he knew that with the support of Vox Machina, he could face his demons and find his peace.

 

 

"Though Freddy, you might want to change your whole 'Sound sleeper' Moto."

 

 

And Percy for the first time in a while, gave a small genuine laugh.

 

 

"Yes, I believe you are correct about that."

 

 

So he just gently leaned on Vax's shoulder as he continued to laugh and slightly cry. Thankful to have his friends by his side.

 

 

"Good work brother." Vex whispered as she silently went back to her keep. Leaving the two to bond in the long awaited silence.