If either Aaren or 'Chelle overhear, they don't show it as 'Chelle heads through a door with the bundle of clothes.

"Did you know that Lan's parents were having a gallery opening tomorrow? Showing some of their private collection for the first time?" Aaren calls after her.

Nova picks up a spoon to start to eat, and then looks at Zev, and looks pointedly at the other bowl. He won't start eating until Zev does.

"-I suppose that would explain why they wanted him home," 'Chelle agrees.

Zevran was busy staring at the two strangers, eyes flicking between them both as he fingered his knife.

Then he felt a prickle on the back of his neck, like someone was watching him. He turned, and saw Nova's pointed look at the bowl in front of Zev. Zev couldn't help a soft smile. "You start. I'll keep watch," he whispers.

...He's reluctant, but he does. He'll make sure Zev eats.

"Should I assume you want me to call you in sick tomorrow?"

"-I'd appreciate that, Dad, really. He's gonna want back-up, and- can I take the car? Give him an out if he needs it?"

"Of course, Sparky."

Zevran is jealous. It eats at his heart like poison. He'd heard of, and seen, these relationships, but it was always through a window, always detached. Never including him. There was only one person who cared about him, and it was someone he failed on a daily basis. 

He spared Nova a look to make sure he was eating. "And the bread too," he reminded.

He tries, he does- but- he's not used to this amount. He bites his lip, looks sideways at Zev. "M'sorry. Full."

Zevran looks at Nova's bowl. To him, a soldier used to getting as much as he could stomach, it looks like Nova had barely touched it. Zev didn't understand, had he not been feeding Nova enough? 

Of course he hadn't, Nova hadn't eaten in three days. Because he hadn't tried enough. Because he couldn't take care of the only important person to him. "Are- are you sure?"

He nods.

"Okay." It is not okay. "Are you tired?"

"-Zev. Please."

"I'm fine, mi vida." 

He looks over to Aaren. "Where are we sleeping?"

"Upstairs, I'll show you," he starts to get to his feet. "You can take the soup upstairs if you want. Eat it up there. I'd feel much better if you had at least one good meal before you decide to leave."

Zevran stands. "I'll be fine. It's more important that Nova-"

All of a sudden things turn woozy. Adrenaline has fuelled him for hours, and once that left there was nothing in him. There were spots in his vision, his hands felt numb and then-

"Nova?" His voice was so weak. 

And then he felt himself fall.

Aaren sees Zev start to fall before he does, and starts to lunge around the table to catch him.

Nova's abruptly between Zev and Aaren, shaking and terrified, flames leaping up off his hands. "I- I'm sorry, he's fine, please don't!"

'Chelle starts to her feet, sparks of electricity running over her skin in an uncontrollable response to Nova's fire.

Zevran's hand finds Nova's ankle. He can't even hear his usual mantra of 'don't touch don't touch don't touch.'

"I'm...I'm okay. I'm sorry- I'm so sorry."

"I- I'll be good," Nova promises, barely registering Zev's words or presence. "I- I'll be good, and pleasing, and- and I can make you feel- just don't hurt him. Please. He'll be okay. Please."

"Hey, hey, no. No. I don't want- no. Neither of you are in any trouble. I promise. It's okay."

"Nova-" Zevran pleads, trying to make himself louder. He- Zevran couldn't let him do that again. Couldn't let him relieve his worst nightmare just to keep him safe. Zevran would rather die. 

Zevran forced himself up, his hands not quite obeying him, but he managed to half put himself between him and Nova, even if his vision was blurry. "Don't...don't..."

"I'm not going to do anything. To either of you. Sparky? Can you-?"