"That pout has felled greater men than you."

"Steve."

"Said as though it explains everything," Angelique laughs. "Such Drex."

Zev laughs along with Ange.

(It's good to see them happy.)

After a moment, Angelique looks at them. "Nova, I thought you might like to know that I discovered why my fire reacted to you the way they did."

Nova presses a little tighter against Zev. "I, um- that's okay, it's fine?"

"I'm here," Zev says, wrapping his arm a little tighter around him.

"It's not alright to keep something from you about this," she says carefully. "You're one of the strongest fire elementals I've ever met, if not the strongest. Stronger than me certainly." Pauses, tries to work out the best way to explain this. "Elementals respond to bloodlines, their own bloodlines especially. My reaction, that suggests you're family to me."

-Nova doesn't even know what that means. But-

But he clings tight to Zev, because does that mean they're gonna take him away from Zev? He doesn't want to be taken away from Zev.

"I'm not going anywhere." It feels like a promise.

"Neither of you are unless you want to," Aaren says firmly.

"It changes nothing. Your choices are the important thing."

Nova tucks his head into Zev's neck, he doesn't know how to respond to this.

"You don't have to know what to do, now. She's just letting you know. You have family, real family."

"-he already had a real family, Zev," Angelique corrects. "Now you just have more, if you want it."

"And you don't have to say anything now. We can totally just go back to watching documentaries and planning zoo visits to see red pandas."

Zev smiles fondly at Ange.

"What Aaren said. We don't have to think about it now, if it bothers you."

He nods into Zev's neck.

"You know, perhaps we should make an entire family outing of this zoo trip, I'm sure Ant would love to go."

"That would be wonderful, ey's great fun."

"I've got work," Ira says with a careless shrug. "I'll pass."

"Don't act like you're not upset about that. We'll organise something when you're available as well."

"You will be sorely missed," Zev says with a smile.

He rests his head on Nova's again, running one hand up and down his arm, trying to be soothing.

Nova shudders a little and then melts a little against Zev.