“Yes, I think we’re done.” 

He goes to stand and pull Nova with him. 

Nova is pliant, immediately moving with Zev.

Esca gives a distressed whine, but shuffles back as they move.

"...You leaving then?" Aaren sounds concerned.

“The room? Certainly.”

He guides Nova out, conspicuously leaving the bag. 

Esca follows close on their heels.

'Chelle follows at a more reasonable distance. "Hey. Want somewhere a bit more comfy than the bathroom?"

“I want to remove my- I want to take Nova out of a situation almost designed to make him upset!” He hisses. He’s not mad at ‘Chelle. He’s confused and scared for Nova, who hasn’t spoken a word since it happened. 

"I promise it wasn't designed to upset you, Nova," she speaks directly to the silent boy, although her words are meant for Zev as much as Nova. "I'm just thinking that if you two need time, you could use my room? There's a lock on the door, and the bed's more comfortable than the bathroom floor?"

Nova shifts a little closer to Zev. "S'fine," he mumbles.

“No, mi vida, it’s not fine. They should’ve warned you something like that could happen.”

"From Aunt Ange's face, I don't think she knew it could? I'm not trying to make excuses, because you're right, we should have but. I've never heard of anything like this. And if Aunt Ange hasn't encountered it before..."

She sighs, shakes her head. "All I can do is apologise, and promise we'll try to do better."

Zev is quiet for a long moment. 

When he does speak, he sounds tired. “He needs rest. We both do. If you wouldn’t mind giving us your room, we would appreciate it.”

"Not at all," she assures. "Follow me," she leads them up the stairs.

Zev gathers Nova close and follows her up. 

They still have a canine shadow padding after them.

'Chelle leads them into her room, which is...vibrant. All bright colours, and weird designs. One corner is dominated by the bed, while another corner has a pile of beanbags and cushions in it. There's another door off it.

"Bathroom,"' Chelle says as she turns her bedside lamp on. "And," she pulls open a drawer, "snack supply. Have at."

Zev sits Nova on the bed, making sure he's settled, before letting go to investigate the snack cupboard. He nods his head to the dog to go over to Nova. 

He looks up at 'Chelle. "Thank you. We- we haven't had kindness like yours and your father's in some time. I don't mean to seem ungrateful it's just-" He looks over at Nova, and his mouth sets into grim line, his eyes desperately sad.

Dog: immediately floomps its head into Nova's lap.

'Chelle smiles sadly at him. "We don't think you're ungrateful," she assures him. "You've obviously both been hurt. And you've learned to protect yourselves. We're sad you had to. But we're glad you survived."

Nova makes a lost confused sound at that. Because they don't know him.

Zev turns away, eyes closed like he's in pain to hear that sound from Nova. Once only 'Chelle can see his face, he opens his eyes. He knows he looks devastated. "I just want him safe," he whispers.

She steps ever so slightly closer to him, reaching for his hand unconsciously, squeezing it gently. "And you have us now. We can take some of the weight. Look after you as well."

He takes her hand in his too, and squeezes back. He drops his head onto her shoulder, only just managing to stifle a sobbing breath. He can't cry right now. 

"Thank you, 'Chelle."

She risks hooking her free arm around his shoulders to give him a gentle hug. "Any time, käraste, any time."