He half-shrugs, half-nods.

"We've got tea, coffee, hot chocolate, we're out of milk, but water, orange juice, apple juice, I think we have squash somewhere..."

“Coffee, thank you. And tea for Nova,” he says it a little harsher than he meant, though he doesn’t want to take it back. He holds the right to still be suspicious. 

'Chelle just smiles. "Really do sit down, you look better, but the kitchen looks unneat." It's soft, teasing, warm, no bite to her words as she makes them drinks.

He can’t deny how much he would like to. He still feels shaky, even after a full night’s sleep. He directs Nova to a chair first, then pulls the one next to him closer, not enough to touch but enough that he can get in front of him easily. 

Aaren puts plates down in front of them, scrambled eggs and toast, and goes back to the pan.

'Chelle comes back with two steaming mugs, putting those next to Zev, and, after a moment, she risks giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze before retreating to her own seat and mug.

The food smelled incredible, and they weren’t given measly portions. Zevran looked at Nova and gave him a small, encouraging smile. 

And then ‘Chelle squeezed his shoulder and he had to stop himself reaching out and keeping her hand there. The gentleness was nearly overwhelming. 

He shut his eyes for one steadying second to take in a shaky breath. 

...She's gonna keep doing that then. Because it hurts her how much he needs that.

Aaren brings two more plates over, sits down next to 'Chelle and strike up a domestic conversation about school and how Aaren would appreciate 'Chelle not turning up in the society pages of the local newspaper again as the school secretaries actually read those.

They don't mention the night before, and while they don't ignore their guests exactly, they aren't paying them much mind either.

Zevran relaxes a bit once their eyes are off him and Nova. Normally, and what he did last night, he would stay on guard every second until he and Nova moved. But after last night- 

Its too soon to say he trusts them. But he does appreciate what they’ve done for Nova. And for him. 

Zev starts eating, catching Nova’s eye and nodding at his own food. 

Once Nova's sure he's eating, he starts on his own meal.

He can't finish it again, but this time he pushes the remnants towards Zev with a very pointed look.

Zevran smiles at Nova, and shows him is own half-finished plate. 

“I can’t finish either,” he whispers conspiratorially.

The gets a small smile in return, although Nova still looks worried.

"If you're done, I'll take your plates?" She lowers her tone to a conspiratory whisper of her own. "I don't think Dad ever learned that portion control was a thing."

"Hey," Aaren complains. "I learned it was a thing. I just ignore it. Big difference."

“We- I haven’t eaten large meals in some time.”

Nova, he doesn’t say, never got them. 

"I'll try to match the portions better than. And there's food in all the cupboards, please help yourself."

Beat. "And there's literally two cases of energy bars on a shelf in the utility room, help yourself to those as well." (Doesn't say 'please don't hoard anything perishable'.)

"I- can help?" Nova offers.

"I got it covered, sweetie," 'Chelle promises, whisking their plates away.

Zev stays quiet, watching them carefully, leaning his body almost sub-conciously towards Nova, like he was drawn into his orbit. 

'Chelle hums quietly while she deals with the dishes.

"Now, neither of you are in any trouble, but I do need to talk to you both about last night, if you don't mind."