If you're ever feeling lonely, if you're ever feeling down

You should know you're not the only one 'cause I feel it with you now

When the world is on your shoulders and you're falling to your knees

Oh please

You know love will set you free.

Love Will Set You Free, Kodaline

Linh didn't know whether to hug or punch Fitz.

'Her' room was covered with a thick, viscous liquid that looked like selkie skin.

"Fitz!" Biana groaned.

"What?" Fitz asked, looking bewildered. Or maybe... Maybe not. Something about it looked fake.

Biana pointedly looked around at the selkie skin everywhere.

"What— oh." Fitz looked guilty. Again, something was off. "Sorry, I thought this was Alvar's old room. He did need redecorating."

"Couldn't disagree with that. But Linh's not sleeping in Alvar's room—" she broke off, staring at Fitz. "Fitz! You didn't."

There was a small smile on Fitz's face. He said nothing to clarify, though, continuing, "yeah, wouldn't make her sleep in Alvar's bed, and she couldn't sleep with me or Mom and Dad."

The desire to hug or punch Fitz intensified. How did he know? Actually, she was sure Fitz didn't know, or else it would've gotten to Sophie, and Sophie would probably accidently mention it to Keefe, causing Keefe to have several vomiting episodes via Annoyed Hydrokinetic.

"I heard you guys had a slumber party at Dex's. Do you still have the sleeping bags?" The Vackers looked relieved she interrupted their sibling argument, Fitz especially. Biana looked a little… Annoyed though.

"Yes. I can get them later." There was something in his tone. He's probably relieved Biana didn't bite his head off. In all likeliness, that was probably literally.

So that is how she ended up in Biana's room in a sleeping bag, wondering if she should punch or hug Fitz.

It is a very interesting debate.

She found herself worrying about Tam. Sure, she said that he can take care of himself, but that was so they wouldn't fuss about her 'losing' her brother. She was scared practically to death about him. Lady Gisela said Tam wouldn't be getting it easy, like Keefe, but it wasn't exactly all fun and games for Keefe. And Linh knew firsthand how easily abused children are manipulated. Linh easily caved into Mother. She had constant nightmares about one day, seeing a group of Neverseen, one flicking his hood to reveal Tam's face, cold and harsh. She shuddered. If Keefe…

"Linh?" Biana's voice was hesitant. Normally, Linh would be extremely annoyed if her thought are interrupted. Today, she was glad. It wasn't as if it was all glorious in her head.

"Yeah?"

Linh imagined Biana resting on her back, her hands resting on her chest, all calm and relaxed. "If you don't mind… Why are you temporarily, err, 'homeless'?"

Linh supressed a smile. And this is what you get when you have sixteen-year-olds trying for tact. "It's fine. We wanted— well, I wanted, Tam didn't— to try living with our family. Mother was trying, I could tell. But, she was off for a trip to who knows where. And Father alone, especially without Tam, that I couldn't stand. I could tell that he's going to try to pass me off as an only child."

Biana was quiet for a moment. "I-I'm sorry," she said quietly, "I wish I could help."

"You are helping."