Author's notes: I don't know how many of you have been reading Isabeau's Wander Home Series(if you're not you should) featuring a young Nod lost in the forest alone. I've been chatting with her and ended up wondering what it would be like if Nod was lost and not found until he was a teenager. And this is the result. The scenes are pretty randomly placed in the timeline and I'll add individual notes for them. There'll be some shared characters between the series(OC's created by Isa and used with permission) and some alternations.

Scene note: When Nod was first found they thought he might be a magical creature. While capturing him they learned he was a Jinn teenager, and he was inured with a severely broken leg. So he's been treated and is staying in the healers ward. This scene is a few weeks after his initial capture

Ronin sat leaning against the wall of Nod's room in the healing ward. A few feet away, Nod was laying in his nest of pillows and blankets playing with a few of his plush toys. This consisted of waving them in the air and mimicking their calls. He did a remarkably good job and Ronin had to resist checking for birds outside the room's window. It was quite a change from his behavior a few weeks ago when he had growled and hissed at anyone in the room.

Ronin pulled out a stack of reports and requests. Glory had suggested reading to Nod to help him get used to regular speech, and pointed out that didn't really matter what was being read. So Ronin had taken to bringing his work with him while visiting and reading the dull reports out loud. It definitely wasn't the most entertaining story time but, Nod didn't mind and Ronin was grateful for the extra time with the boy.

Nod paused in his playing as Ronin started to read, looking over for a moment before turning back to his toys. Ronin tried not to feel slighted at being ignored, he was far too used to people snapping to attention when he spoke. It was an interesting way to work.

"Hmm Lieutenant Johnson is requesting new bucklers for his squad. The only reason listed is Private Arthur" Ronin sighed, looking over to the teen "Think I should approve the request Nod?"

Surprisingly Nod looked back at him and chirped in response.

Ronin blinked for a moment, "I'm not sure if that's a yes or a no. But I guess I can't leave the squad under equipped because they're unlucky enough to have Private Arthur assigned to them." Quickly writing his approval and signing the form, Ronin turned to Nod again. "I don't suppose you have any ideas on what to do with Arthur?"

Nod warbled a reply and turned away searching his nest for something. Figuring he was done interacting for the evening and was looking for a snack from one of many stashes Ronin turned back to his reports. Telling Nod the Tale of Captain Cohen's Long and Tedious Escort Duty with Arrogant Merchants Ronin heard an odd shuffling noise, and then felt a warm weight against his side.

Nod had crawled out of his nest and was now leaning against Ronin with a blanket, a small bag and his favorite plush bird tucked under his arm. Ronin forced himself to stay still as Nod settled besides him eventually opting to use Ronin's leg as a pillow. He couldn't hold back a grin as Nod looked up and offered him the bag. It was filled with pieces of dried fruit and chopped nuts.

"Thank you, Nod." Ronin said smiling, taking a piece of fruit. It was the first time Nod had sought out touch since he had been found. And Ronin couldn't help but feel excited.

Nod grinned up at him and chirped motioning to the papers Ronin held apparently wanting storytime to continue.

"As you wish." Ronin chuckled as he started reading again. Nod happily snacked on the fruit as he listened, occasionally adding his own commentary with chirps and warbles. Eventually Ronin couldn't resist lowering a hand and running it through Nod's hair. At least what had grown back after most had been sheared off when he was first found. Nod tensed under his hand, unsure at the contact.

Ronin paused in the motion, hoping he hadn't pushed too far. A moment later Nod pushed up against his hand with a happy murmur. Ronin's grin only grew wider as he resumed petting Nod as he read. Ronin soon lost track of time until a nurse carefully eased open the door.

"General Ronin?" The nurse said hesitantly "Visiting time is ov. . Oh"

Ronin followed the nurse's gaze to his lap where Nod was sprawled over him and fast asleep.

He grinned over to the nurse setting the last report to the side, "Yeah, this happened. Give me a minute to get him back to bed."

The nurse smiled and nodded "Of course, Sir." before ducking back out of the room.

Carefully pulling Nod into his arms chuckling as the teen hugged the plush to his chest even as the bag of food fell from his lax fingers. Ronin stood ignoring protests from muscles stiff from sitting too long, making sure he didn't jostle Nod's injured leg too much. Nod was still far too light, but Glory said he was starting to fill out. After settling Nod back into the nest and pulling the blankets over him, Ronin retrieved the bag of fruit and set it close by.

Ruffling Nod's hair one last time Ronin said "Good night, Nod, I'll see you again tomorrow."