Zev drops the tray onto the nearest flat surface, and turns back to lock the door. If only to give Nova a bit of peace of mind. He then pours himself a glass of water, meaning only to sip it, but realises one sip in that's he's terribly thirsty. He drains the entire glass in seconds, replacing it back on the tray. He pours himself a second glass, and then looks over at the bed, intending to check on Nova.

And his heart stops. Nova is half-asleep, his eyes watching him but not entirely focused. He looks relaxed, like he could slip back under any second. 
This is all Zev wanted. This was exactly the Nova Zev wanted to see, for so long. He puts the glass down without paying attention, and slips to his knees besides Nova, eyes wide with wonder and smiling softly. "Hey there. There's more food if you're hungry, but if you want to sleep some more, you should." 

He ever so gently raises a hand to stroke across Nova's head, his heart now thudding painfully with just how much he loves this boy.

He blinks a bit. "...more food?" he sounds so hopelessly lost at that idea.

Outwardly, he keeps smiling, but inside he can feel his stomach drop. He knows exactly why Nova is surprised. Food for him was a reward, not a necessity. Zev mourns the fact he couldn't kill more of those monsters the night he and Nova escaped.

"Yes, mi vida. Soup, I think. Not sure what of...though it seems edible?" He says, trying to sound cheery. Since Nova doesn't seem to mind, he keeps stroking his head.

...Nova doesn't want to sit up. Wants Zev to keep stroking his head. But...

"Should- eat while we can?"

"Good idea." Zev also does not want to stop touching Nova, but for necessity's sake he must. He cups Nova's face gently for a moment, then pulls away. He lets Nova sit up first before retrieving their lunch.

Nova leans a little into the touch before pushing himself into a sitting position, leaning against the headboard.

Esca shifts obligingly, and woofs softly.

Zev hands Nova a bowl and spoon. He fills the other glass with water and leaves it in arm's reach. He then grabs his own and sits facing Nova, pulling the sleeve of his hoodie over his hand to hold the bowl. 

"Ange sends her apologies, and wants to make sure you know that she didn't want to frighten you," Zev says after a moment.

Nova cradles the bowl close to his chest, hands seemingly unbothered by the scorching ceramic.

"...why?" (Why was she apologising? Why hadn't she intended? Why did she care enough to apologise?)

"...are you sure you're not hurting yourself, doing that?" Zev can't help but be concerned. He's not a fire elemental, and doesn't understand magic at all, but he worries.

"She runs a...home. For untrained magic users. Like you. She would probably like to see you again. To train you."

"M'fine," he assures, trading the bowl to his other hand so he can hold up his hand - completely free of anything remotely resembling a burn.

"Oh," he says quietly to the last. "I- do I have to go there?" (He doesn't want to leave Zev, doesn't want Zev to leave him.)

"No. You don't have to do anything. It's just something else to think about." He looks up and smiles at Nova, but is quick to look back down again. 

It would be better for him, no? To be around others like him, to be away from someone who most likely reminds him everyday of the place he came from- 

Zev lurches forward slightly as a cold stab of disgust rips through his stomach. He quickly covers it up with a cough, smiling at Nova again, but his whole body feels cold.

"I- I don't," he says, doesn't know how to say 'not unless you come too', doesn't want to say something that makes Zev think he has to stay with Nova, or drives Zev away. "Want to go there?" he clarifies, staring down at his soup, because he can't look at Zev right now.

"It-" What? Might be nice to meet other people? To have an actual home? To be away from Zevran? 

The first two he's not sure about. The third...Nova told him that Zev doesn't hurt. He shrinks into Zev when he's scared, leans on Zev when he needs him. Zev wouldn't take that away from Nova, ever. He just...he doesn't know how much of that is good for Nova, and how much is just Zev desperate for whatever crumbs of affection he can get. 

"You don't have to make a decision right now, mi alma." The endearment surprises him, but it seems fitting. Wherever Nova went, he'd be taking a part of Zevran's soul with him.

"Won't change my mind," and Nova sounds as close to stubborn as he ever has.

That gets a shocked look from Zev, mostly for the forwardness of Nova's tone. "You haven't even been there yet?" He says automatically, brain still struggling to catch up with the idea that Nova was being...stubborn?

He stifles a chuckle.

He ducks so his words are mostly mumbled into his bowl, barely audible. "Wouldn't have you."

"Wouldn't have-"

Zev is so shocked he nearly upends the bowl of soup. He rights it quickly, and then just moves it back onto the tray. "I...I said I'd stay with you. I-"

No. No, this won't do. He can't say this like he's ashamed of it. He carefully moves closer, trying not to upset Nova's food, and leans in close. "I have nowhere else I would rather be than by your side. I swear it."

He's still staring down into his bowl, although there's a small smile on his lips. "I- thanks. Really. Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank me for."

And so much to hate me for, he thinks.

...Nova wants to argue, but doesn't know how to. Doesn't say 'as you say', because Zev had asked him not to. Just nods, looks for somewhere to put his bowl - he wants to hug Zev, or be hugged, but he can't do that with the bowl in his hands.

Zev takes the bowl, placing it with his on the tray. 

...how do you hug someone if they don't hug you first? Nova doesn't know how to start that, still isn't sure he's allowed to.

Zev hasn't looked up since he placed Nova's bowl back on the table, though he hasn't shifted back on the bed. They're very close together.