To be honest Lavender was bit shocked to find the boy asleep in her bed.
Most people didn't stay this long with her…but she supposed that it was fine after all she was the one that made the offer.
She almost didn't want to wake him up to eat, but it was getting chilly out and the poor boy looked as if he could use a hot meal.
Lavender admired the peaceful expression on his face for a moment longer, before setting the tray on the bedside table.
Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder she shook him gently," Varian." She spoke softly," It's time to get up."
The boy opened his eyes blearily, blinking at her before jolting up backing away looking like a frightened animal.
She held her hands up trying to calm the boys panicked expression," Hey, hey you're okay." Lavender told him, approaching him with caution.
Varian relaxed after a minute, looking down at the ground with shame," You look like you could use a hot meal." She said, changing the subject, taking the bowl of the bedside table.
"It's not much, just a little porridge but it should warm you up a little." Lavender said, handing him the bowl, a little caught off guard as she watches him scarf it down," Whoa, whoa breath in between bites okay."
He flushed, little slowing his eating pace down a little, but she could still tell that he was struggling not to wolf it down.
When he was done Varian passed the empty bowl back to her, quietly thanking her for the food. His eyes shifted around every now and again, as if looking for an escape route.
But Lavender wasn't that oblivious, she knew this boy wasn't in any condition to be running around on his own, so she'd keep him for as long as she could," I'll get you some more."
Varian pulled his knees up resting his chin on them choosing not to comment on this, he was hungry, and this woman was offering him free food, so he didn't feel like it was his place to complain.
She chewed on her lip a little before returning to the kitchen to get him some more food.
While in the kitchen, she allowed herself to lose herself in thought.
Thinking back to how Varian had acted, she'd met children his age before and she was certain none of them acted in the way he did.
The poor boy just seemed so scared, and…hurt. Her heart ached a little as she knew exactly how that felt…to be scared and alone.
She pushed these thoughts out of her mind though in favor of refilling the bowl, returning to the bedroom.
Stifling a giggle upon entering as noticing the boys slumped figure.
Varian's breath had evened out once more as it seemed the boy had fallen asleep again in the short time she'd been gone, though she suspected due more to the warm food filling his stomach then just pure exhaustion, this time.
The door rest against the walk with a click, starling the boy out of his light slumber. Varian blinked blearily rubbing the sleep from his eyes, making him seem even younger than his actual age.
Lavender smiled warmly tucking the bowl back into his hand sitting in a chair across from the bed, not getting to close as she didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
Varian only got about halfway through this bowl before setting it aside, and it was obvious the full belly was making him feel a bit drowsy as he looked ready to nod off again right in front of her.
"You can stay here as long as you need." Lavender told him, deciding to get the words out before the boy bolted on her.
He flushed a little looking off to the side," I wouldn't want to inconvenience you…" He trailed off, stifling a light cough into his wrist shifting his gaze to the side.
She was surprised at how desperately she wanted to coddle him right now, but she held back the urge," It's no trouble I don't get visitors all that often, so it'll be nice."
"But it's really up to you, I can't force you to stay here." Lavender told him collecting the bowl, leaving to take it to the kitchen.
Varian's blue eyes trailed after her, confused and still wary. He laid back down closing his eyes, already starting to drift off again.
And when he was on the very edge of sleep he could have sworn he felt someone tuck the blankets more securely around his slim form, and the light brush of fingers carding their way through his hair…but he was certain that it was just his imagination.
Lavender shut the door behind herself, she closed her eyes sighing release a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding in.
Running her fingers through her thick dark hair, she wonders how this was all going to work out. Surely the guards would get suspicious eventually and find out that she was holding up a fugitive in her home.
Opening her eyes, she decided that she'd worry about that when the time came, for now she'd have to set up a makeshift bed since hers was occupied now.
She awoke late the night to a sound she couldn't quite make out in her half-asleep state.
When her brain was coherent enough to form thoughts, she realized that what she was hearing were choked strangled sobs, and her mind immediately went to the boy tucked away in her bed.
Her maternal instincts took over as stumbled to her feet practically running to the bedroom and flinging the door open startling the boy inside the room.
Varian's tear-filled eyes darted to her, wide and afraid.
Approaching with caution Lavender sat down on the bed, and before she could open her mouth she found thin arms wrapped tightly around her torso as the sobbing continued.
Caught off guard she tensed up for a moment, this was a boy that had shied away from her from the moment he'd gotten there and now he was clinging to her like she was the only thing keeping him anchored down.
Lavender had never seen anyone look so broken, and it tore her up inside.
She relaxed, shushing him softly as she held him, rocking him gently as she carded her fingers through his sweaty black hair, frowning at the heat coming off his body,
Wondering to herself if anyone was bothering to take care of him properly, because to her, Varian's health seemed to be severely neglected.
It took a while for him to fully calm down, and even then, he was still shaking, though she couldn't tell if was from fear, or feverish chills attacking his body.
Lavender wanted to get up knowing that she had a remedy that would help reduce the fever, but she also knew that she wouldn't be going anywhere with out him at her side.
So, she took him into the kitchen with her getting him settled in a chair with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, assuring him that she wouldn't be going far.
Going through her cabinets she searched a bit before finding what she was looking for, relieved that she had some herbs already prepared, and that all she'd need is some hot water.
Putting a kettle on she waited for the water to boil, glancing back at Varian every now and again as if worried that he'd disappear.
Every time still finding him sitting there, looking worn out with his hazy fever bright eyes. A thick burbling cough expelling itself from his lungs every now and again wracking his thin frame, encouraging her to add a little extra mint to the mixture hoping it help with that.
When it was done she knelt in front him, she spoke in a calm even tone," Hey there you don't sound too good." Lavender said, trying not to let her own exhaustion seep into her tone," Do you think you can drink this for me?" She asked.
There was a nod, a small feeble one but a nod all the same, and she pressed the cup into his hands helping him raise it to his lips to drink it. Smiling a little when he wrinkled his nose at the taste," I know it's gross, but it'll help." Lavender told him encouraging him to finish the rest.
By the time Varian was done, the warm drink seemed to ease his chills reducing them to small tremors, and he was ready to nod off where he was sitting.
Lavender helped him back to bed, getting him tucked back under the covers, and as she was getting ready to leave she felt a small tug on her wrist. Looking back, she found Varian's hand clutching her sleeve tightly, and her hear broke all over again.
Pulling the chair closer to the bed she took his hand giving it a silent squeeze to let him know that she wasn't going anywhere. Staying with him as he slowly drifted back to sleep.