He certainly doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

Nova lets Zev guide him to lying, reaching, in a surprising display of confidence, to grab Zev's hand.

Zev's plan was to make sure Nova went to sleep, then head downstairs to talk to Aaren about what the hell happened, but...

He knew that whenever he had a choice, and one of them was hold Nova, Nova would win every time.

He knelt next to the bed, Nova's hand cradled in his, head leaning on the mattress close to Nova's. "I'm not going anywhere."

Nova relaxes a little, lets his eyes close.

"Thanks," he mumbles sleepily. "F'r everything."

Zev shuffles closer. "Thank you, too."

Nova takes that as permission enough to move close enough he can rest his head on Zev's shoulder. (Even if he can't understand why Zev's thanking him.)

Zev chuckles. "Mi vida, there are pillows there," he chides gently, but lays his head on top of Nova's. 

He likes very much that this has become their norm.

Nova almost pulls away at Zev's teasing, but relaxes against him when he feels Zev's head resting against his own.

He can drift off here, with surprising ease.

He watches the tension drain out of Nova's body, and tries to make his shoulder as comfortable as possible for Nova.

And then he just watches him sleep. He does mull over a few things, namely what the hell they're going to do next, but for now Nova is safe and warm and has access to running water and food. That's enough for the moment.

An hour later there's a quiet knock on the door.

Zev has managed to stay awake, though the temptation to crawl up next to Nova was...a lot. He looks up at the door when he hears the knock, frowning. He could just ignore it. Nothing says he has to get up and go see. 

Carefully, he eases Nova's head from his shoulder onto the bed. He makes sure Nova is comfortable, then stands up, ruffling Esca's fur as he goes past. 

He unlocks the door and opens it enough that Aaren can see his face. 

Aaren smiles gently, holds up a tray with two steaming bowls, two glasses and a carafe of water. "Lunch," he says quietly. "Figured you might not be ready to come out just yet."

Zev smiles, a little grimly, but it's there. "Nova's still asleep. I don't want to wake him. Thank you, though."

"Well. You can still eat in the meantime," Aaren suggests gently, holding the tray out. "It's fresh off the hob, so it'll hold the heat for a while. And if it's cold when he wakes up, it can be reheated."

He looks back into the room. Nova looks actually peaceful for once, and the dog is happily keeping him company. He would almost be tempted to leave him alone. 

But not yet.

"Thank you." He takes the tray from Aaren. He goes to turn away from the door, then pauses. He looks back. "What...what happened? With Ange?"

"She's not even sure," Aaren admits, looking thoughtful and concerned. "She's never encountered anyone who makes her react like that. She's gone to do some research. As soon as we know anything, I will let you know."

"She truly had no idea that...that might happen?"

"If she had, she would have warned you. Her father, and now she, run a... boarding house. For supernaturals who need somewhere safe. She really doesn't like scaring people who have already been hurt.

"She did ask me to pass on her apologies to you and Nova. It was anything but her intention to scare him or make him think he did something wrong."

"I will...I will let him know that. I don't think he will believe it, however."

He seems thoughtful for a moment. "Being in a boarding house with others like him might help." He doesn't seem happy about the idea, but it's something for him to consider.

"If you two want to go, Ange will happily take you in. That wasn't a suggestion, more an...explanation of who Ange is. But it is an option if you want it to be."

"I don't know what to do from here," he admits. It doesn't come easily. "This is the safest we've been since we left, but you are still a stranger. And so is she. I...I just thought that it would be good for him not to feel so alone."

He thought he was talking about Nova's magic, but the words seem to come from somewhere deeper.

"You take it one step at a time. And step one is eating that soup. And step two is deciding whether you want to stay. I hope step three is a good dinner here, a quiet evening, and a good night's sleep in an actual bed rather than the bathroom, but that's your choice."

Pause, soft, sad smile. "Enjoy your lunch, okay?"

"Thank you." I hope it's our choice too, he doesn't say. He heads back into 'Chelle's room, closing the door behind him.

Esca sits up a little at his return, but doesn't actually move from where he is, still resting his head across Nova's legs.

Nova's stirred a little, and is watching Zev through half-open eyes.