The same green light as before infuses their hands, soothing away the pain, and setting things back to rights. Green threads stitch the skin of Zev's knuckles back together, before fading away.

"There."

No new scar joins the others, and Zev is once again amazed by Drex’s abilities. 

“Thank you,” He says a little breathlessly and he clenches and unclenches his hand. It doesn’t hurt at all. 

"Welcome."

He turns to Ira.

"You really don't need to-" she says, trying to get to her feet-

Esca chooses that moment to floomp down across her legs.

"Traitor," she grumbles, but reluctantly extends her hands, palm up.

Drex touches her hand, green light happens, and her palms are healed.

She makes a sound that might be gratitude.

Zev smiles at that, but he is a little saddened. Probably still thinks people will consider she owes something. 

Like Nova and himself still do. 

Drex sits himself down next to Ira and ruffles Esca's fur, clearly praising the dog.

Nova relaxes against Zev's side, clearly happier now that no-one is injured.

“I’m going to quickly go wash all the...gunk off. Be right back.” He kisses Nova’s temple and heads towards the bathroom. 

Aaren and Angelique are having a quiet conversation in the kitchen.

They’re probably talking about Nova, Zev thinks when he emerges the bathroom, hand clear of residue. He wants to know what they’re talking about, and if it were strangers he’d probably eavesdrop. 

Instead, he coughs so they know he’s passing through, offering them a smile as he returns to the living room.

"Zev," Angelique says. "How are you? Could we talk to you for a moment?"

"Of course," Zev says, a little concerned. "I'm good. And yourself?"

"It's nothing to worry about," Aaren assures, "we just think you'll have a better idea about how Nova will react to things."

“Is something wrong with Nova’s fire?”

He guessed it was about that, just from Ange being here.

"Quite the opposite," Angelique says carefully. "I looked into what my response meant. I'll admit I was...startled, by what I finally found..."

"What did you find?" Zev's heartbeat is thudding almost painfully against his ribs.

"He's powerful. The strongest fire elemental I've ever met." Pauses. "And believe me when I say that his control is impressive, and definitely in spite of anything that was done to him in an attempt to make him control it-"

"Really? The most powerful?"

He knew it. Not that he knew previously there was a scale, but Nova was the strongest person he knew.

"Really," Angelique confirms. "But the reason I can confirm that- it turns out that he is...most likely my cousin." She reaches out to squeeze Zev's arm. "This changes nothing, Zev. You and he stay together."

She said it, and Zev knew that she meant it, but Ange being Nova's cousin? That means he would have a family. A proper family. 

And as excited as he was by that prospect, he knew that it would mean they would have to part at some stage. The thought terrified him.

"No, of course. But the fact he has family is wonderful. I couldn't imagine anyone being related to you and letting what happened to him go on."

"I wouldn't have allowed what happened to either of you," Angelique says, hand still resting on his arm. "If I'd known about him, both of you would have been safe."