Chapter Nineteen: Sweet Healing

All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. Charles M. Schulz

It was time for evening meal and Nuri Aiyden frowned as she carried the two trays in her hands. One was for her from the dining hall, the other was for Shane. She was supposed to eat dinner with him and he wasn't here anymore in this room. Had he gotten moved and nobody told her?

She could figure this mess out. She went back to the kitchens in the ward to check the meal charts. She scanned for his name and then found it. Ahh, he had moved. He was now in Master Rixar's room. She frowned wondering what he was doing there and glanced at her tray wondering with some slight amount of sadness if she would still be welcome. She left to go to the right room.

When she came to the door she balanced one tray awkwardly against her hip and levitated the other one as she knocked.

"Come in," Master Rixar's voice answered.

The door swished open and she came in balancing her two trays. Her face fell slightly when she realized that Shane was asleep curled up next to the Master. "Oh, sorry," she whispered. "I didn't think he'd be sleeping."

"It's all right," He said in the same voice. "He stayed up almost all night."

She hesitated at that and nodded. "I can put his tray here and he can have it when he wakes up," she suggested finally.

"Thank you Nuri," Drex replied. "I'll see to it that he eats some of it," he said and she nodded. "Well I'll see you later then," she said as she turned to leave.

Drex watched her go, wondering what was up. Zeltrons, especially when young had difficulty controlling negative emotions, and he could sense that she was disappointed at finding Shane sleeping. He had his own tray on the table in front of him that he was eating slowly, trying not to wake the boy.

Eventually, Shane stirred, at first muttering tiredly as he buried himself deeper into Drex's warmth, seeking oblivion once more. Only to it to elude him, as his mind woke further, causing his eyes to creak open, and look around.

Drex glanced down hearing the boy's tired muttering. "How are you feeling?"

Blinking up to him, Shane couldn't help but smile tiredly, a soft purr coming from him as he pressed his face into the side of Drex's neck, in answer.

"There's food for you if you're hungry," Drex said, sounding slightly amused.

Something seemed to spark in Shane, as he pulled himself away a little, looking slightly troubled, "Nuri was coming..."

"She did, but you needed the rest," Drex assured him. "She doesn't mind. She'll come back later."

There was almost a pout, as much as Shane could, as he looked a little troubled, "We were going to eat together."

"Well yes, ne', but you were sleeping rather heavily. She left your food for you," he said.

Looking slightly disappointed, Shane sighed a little, "She'll come back later?"

"Of course," Drex said soothingly. "She knows you need rest. You're sick."

Accepting that, the boy settled back down, "Not sick."

Drex gave a small sigh. "Injured then," he amended.

"Am fine," Shane insisted.

Drex only smiled. "Not yet, but you will be soon. Here, eat some of this. It's still good and hot."

He glanced over to the tray, and sniffed, trying to understand the smell. It was meat, but he didn't know of what, and it puzzled him a bit, "What is it?"

"It's processed nerf, not as good as normal but it's not that bad," Drex replied.

Shane considered, as he finally sat up, staying tucked to Drex's side, as one clawed had reached out, snagging a piece before gobbling it down. A coo erupted from him, "Not bad."

Drex was amused. "So you like then? that's good, maybe you'll actually eat your entire tray this time."

Shane looked it over, and shook his head, "Too much for me..." He looked to him, "Share?"

Drex laughed a little. "I have enough on my plate little one," he said, gesturing to the salad, nerf cutlets and dessert on his tray.

Blinking, Shane studied the food for a moment, before pointing, "What's that, and that?"

"This? It's called salad," Drex replied pouring some dressing on it. "And this that I'm putting on top is called dressing."

Sniffing again, Shane's nose wrinkled, understanding the scent as plant. Plants were used for building, not eating in his mind, but humans were weird... "And that?"

"This is called a brownie," Drex said handing it to him. "It's made of chocolate. You eat it after you eat the main meal."

Smelling it, Shane couldn't make out what it was, as it was neither meat nor plant. Looking to the Master for reassurance, and getting it, he took a hesitant bit from the slightly gooey treat. At first, only the taste of something sweet, and thick was upon his tongue, before it truly hit him, making his mind go blank for a moment in pure pleasure, as a loud purr erupted from him.

Drex laughed. "You like that do you?" He grinned at the boy.

It took a moment for Shane to answer, the purr still going, as an almost lazy smile washed over his lips, and he nodded.

Drex chuckled. "Well you can have the rest of it this time," he said in amusement. He turned his attention back to his salad.

Shane looked thrilled at that, though he paused a little, glancing down to it briefly, "Want some of it back?"

He couldn't freely claim all the bliss this... chocolate gave him.

Drex shook his head. "No little one, you can have it, I'll be able to get more later. You've never had any before."

Shane looked touched and thrilled at the same time. Giving his almost shy thanks, he set about slowly devouring the treat, taking his time, as each bite nearly took his breath away. Once finished, and after licking his fingers completely clean of every last bit, Shane curled back up against the Master, cooing and purring contentedly, mind hazed from the pleasure he had gained. He had never known anything like it.

Drex's eyes were sparkling with mirth at the young one's pleasure from his treat. He pushed what was left of his food away. "I see I'll have to get them to put one on your plate next time," he teased. "They likely were uncertain as to if you would like that or not."

That set off a loud burst of purring from Shane, to show his utmost apporval, before he paused, and looked up to him, "Am I allowed?"

Surely something like that was rare, to be so wonderful.

Drex laughed and ruffled the boy's hair gently. "Of course, ne'. You can have a treat, if it doesn't upset your stomach. We need to make sure there aren't any adverse effects from it first."

"Nothing yet," Shane chirped, "Except tired now..."

Drex smiled. "Perhaps you should go back to sleep then?" he suggested, nudging the boy's mind gently.

Shane nodded a little, before burrowing his face into Drex's side one more, drifting back off to sleep easily.

Drex brushed a hand through his hair before gently kissing the top of his forehead. 'Rest well.'

Shane watched, eyes dark, but untroubled as another snap resonated from just below his left knee. Faintly, he registered the pain, and the heaviness of his limbs, but between his high level of pain management, and the numbing medicine the healer had put into place, it didn't truly bother him. It wasn't the first time he had bones broken, though, it was the first time all four limbs were, in some way. His right wrist, his left upper arm, his right upper leg, and left lower. The odd needle like things had already been inserted into his ribs, just as they had been into each of the broken bones that the healer had done.

The last put into place, he glanced up to the healer, as if silently asking him if he was done.

"There," Han'yaie said gently. "All done, now you'll just have to sit very still while it does it's work. Do you need anything?"

He shook his head, "How long?"

"Several hours I'm afraid," Han'yaie said. "Were there any holovids you would like to watch?"

He blinked at that, "What are those?"

Han'yaie laughed slightly and brought one over from the display case. "This is a holovid. It tells a story, see? This one is about a famous archaeologist searching for a lost treasure. It's pretty good, and makes the time go by. You might enjoy it."

Shane considered it, raising an eyebrow before he glanced to the door, "Is Ky coming by today?" He felt the distant ache in his chest, that wasn't attached to his broken ribs. He hadn't seen his godling in nearly two days.

"He should be able to come see you tonight for evening meal," he assured him.

Shane looked a little downtrodden at that, though he nodded a little, accepting it when he didn't want to.

"Shall I put this in for you?" He asked kindly, feeling the young one's disappointment, but it couldn't be helped.

Sighing a little, and wincing as his ribs expanded, shifting the needle a bit, he nodded after a moment. Even if it didn't hold his attention, it was at least something to experience, since he had never heard of such.

Han'yaie smiled and put the holovid in the player and handed Shane the remote. "These buttons here make the volume go up or down. "

Shane nodded, understanding, before he looked up to him, waiting for anything else.

"I'll put this here," he said putting it close by Shane's hand. I'll leave you alone for now so you can watch your holovid. Call me if you need anything," he said pointing to the button on Shane's bedside.

Again, Shane nodded, showing he understood., "Will the numbness go away? "

Han'yaie shook his head. "No, not for a long time."

Shane nodded. He doubt he would have cared if it did. Pain wasn't unfamiliar, it would have been more welcomed then the chill of not feeling anything.

Han'yaie gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be back to check on you," he said before he left.

Accepting that, Shane sighed as he tried to make himself somewhat comfortable, wincing when he moved wrong here or there. The moving picture before him didn't keep his gaze, though it was interesting to see such a thing. But being trapped left him bored, and uncomfortable, especially with being alone. He was finding it hard to be left alone, in this new, unsettling place. A person near him gave him some comfort, even if they ignored him...

//Me'?// The voice inside his mind was vaguely uncertain, as if unsure if contact would work.

Shane jerked a bit at that, something sparking sharp through him as he felt that voice, that soul strong in his mind, where it had been distant the last few days. Gasping a little as he forced himself to settle, feeling the needles move, it took him a moment to reach back//Ky?//

There was a pleased, but surprised feeling from the bond. //Me'!// the other said happily. //It worked!//

Shane smiled a bit, as he relaxed, vague pain forgotten as he clung to that voice, and that sense, Kyran's sense//Have missed you.//

//Missed you too,// Kyran said, clinging to him as well as he could. //Other friends aren't the same now. I can't talk to them and share like we can.//

Shane understood. Even with others around, he felt so... empty without Kyran//We'll be together soon.//

//I know and you'll be all better then.// He replied. There was a pause before he said//It's not as easy to get used to being home as I thought...//

//It will be,// Shane assured, when he didn't know. He still wasn't used to this place.

There was an even longer pause. //I miss Master Zephir. //

Shane found himself doing the same. He hadn't seen the older Master in a while.

//The adults in the crèche are nice but...// he tried to figure out what he wanted to say. It was rare to get one on one time with an adult in the crèche. While he was gone on the trip, he had Master Zephir's entire attention, and Master Rixar's. He missed it. It made him feel happy. He had tried to get Master Anya to color with him, but she was too busy then to do so. And Master Perchel was busy too...

//You should visit him,// Shane finally said.

//I can't. I don't know how to get there by myself,// He said.

//Ask to go? I want to see you too,// Shane didn't know if it would work.

//I don't think it will work. The only way it might would be if Master Zephir asked to see me, and I don't think he will if he's not feeling good,// Kyran pointed out. //I'm lonely.// He was sitting at table working on a project by himself. He just didn't feel like playing with anyone else right now. He missed Me'telnen.

//Han'yaie says you're coming around at evening meal... Maybe you can see him then if he lets you?// Shane wagered.

//I am?// Kyran perked up slightly at that. He didn't know that he was going to get to go see his friend at all.

Shane nodded a little//Han'yaie said so.//

He felt some better knowing that. That made things more manageable. //Good.//

//So are you feeling better with healing and things? Have they given you a Jedi name yet?// Kyran asked curiously after a few moments of silence.

Shane glanced down to his arms, and legs//Getting better. And the old Master did, will tell you when you come.//

//Not tell me now?//Kyran sounded slightly put out at that.

//Want to see your face,// Shane admitted.

//When did he give it to you?// Kyran asked.

//On the ship,// Shane replied//Didn't accept it then though.//

//Why not?//Kyran was genuinely curious.

//Didn't want to lose my name,// came the sigh//But realized I wasn't losing my name, just gaining a new one.//

Kyran agreed. //I had to too. But I don't remember my old name,// he said thinking hard.

//Maybe best, Your name fits you,// Shane confessed, because he thought it was perfect. Just like Sala'ne' was perfect for him.

Kyran beamed, his feelings able to be easily felt through the bond they shared. He was happy his name fit.

For a long time there was no more said, just a general feel of contentment through the bond, and the loneliness had been eased for the both of them.

Later that evening, Kyran came to see him, carrying his own little meal tray carefully. He was being escorted by Han'yaie who was carrying Shane's tray for Kyran since Kyran couldn't carry both. He had wanted to, though after he dropped Shane's first one, Han'yaie had decided against letting him try again.

Shane was resting in his own bed in the room he shared with Drex, stretched out, on his back for once so as to let the newly stitched bones continue to heal. His right wrist had already set properly, as had his left leg, but the rest still needed time, and more treatment. Stirring a little, his eyes opened at feeling Kyran so close.

The door swished open then revealing Kyran closely followed by Han'yaie. The boy was concentrating so hard on not spilling, he almost walked into Han'yaie's back.

Drex stifled his laughter and merely coughed once. as Han'yaie stopped and Kyran almost plowed into him. "Oops, sorry, Master Han'yaie," Kyran said apologetically.

"It's all right, " the Healer said kindly. "Do you want me to help you with your meal?" he asked, turning his attention to Shane.

Shane shook his head, mute for a moment. He didn't feel hungry, hadn't all day the entire time he had been hooked upon the bone knitter. All he felt, was tired, yet happy to have his bondmate near.

Han'yaie put both trays on the table across Shane's bed and pushed the button easing the bed to a sitting position so he could reach. "There," he said. "Now Kyran do you need anything else?"

The boy was climbing on the other side to get into the bed with Shane. "Might need help with napkin," he said.

The Healer tied it around his neck for him. "That better?"

Kyran nodded . "Very good," he said as he began to eat.

Shane watched him, slightly smiling, even though he couldn't rightfully move. Glancing at his own tray, he finally ignored it, in favor of watching his bondmate enjoy his own meal.

"Why don't you want to eat?" Kyran asked glancing at him. "I thought you'd be really hungry by now. I would be."

Shane shook his head a little, "Haven't been."

"You should eat just a little," Kyran said, he put aside his own tray and cut up some meat for Shane. "Just a bit?"

Shane looked reluctant, but couldn't outrightly say no, as he nodded vaguely, for Kyran's benefit.

Kyran was pleased as Shane took the piece of meat from him and ate it. "You need food to get better," Kyran encouraged. Kyran saw there was a brownie on Shane's tray and he eyed it with interest. He had one of his own, but he wondered if his bondmate knew what a brownie tasted like. "Have you tried these yet?" he asked hopefully. He was almost sure the answer would be no.

Glancing at it, Shane couldn't help the spark of hunger that lighted at that, and he nodded, "Master gave me one," he glanced to Drex, smiling a bit.

"You can have it after you eat your other food," Drex said calmly from across the room, where he was eating a salad.

Shane glanced back to his plate, before nodding. He knew from last night's experience that he wouldn't be able to eat anything else if he ate that first.

Kyran grinned slightly. How many times had he heard that in the crèche? "They're good aren't they?" he said happily.

Shane nodded. There wasn't a way to describe how great they were.

"Want me to help you?" Kyran asked anxiously wanting his bondmate to be able to eat.

Shane glanced at his right hand, which moved stiffly at his side, still fragile in its recently healed stated. Reaching to grab a piece of meat, he frowned as his fingers wouldn't quite close. Yet he presisted, forcing them to before slowly bringing the meat to his mouth, nearly dropping it once in his weakness, but managing.

"I help you eat," Kyran insisted, putting a piece of food on the fork for him and holding it carefully to where he could eat.

Shane looked displeased with that, "You need to eat too."

"I eat after you do, "He said cheerfully. " I help you first."

Shane shook his head, "Your food will get cold."

"So? Eat," he practically shoved the fork at him. "Sooner you eat, the less cold it gets."

Shane relented. eating what was offered. Eventually Shane had finished off his food and then they turned their attention to the brownie that remained and Kyran carefully cut it into small bites for him-- and helped him eat it

With the first bite, Shane began to purr, and with each bite after, that purring grew louder as his pleasure did, and as he grew happily tired, eyes dulling a little.

Kyran was amused and fascinated by his bondmate's reaction to the chocolate. //Good stuff isn't it?// he said finally turning his attention to his own plate.

Shane nodded tiredly, eyes half closed as he watched him, tongue flickering out to catch any stray crumbs on his own lips before he settled, still purring loudly.

Kyran laughed and then turned back to eating. He ate his processed nerf and peas and beans and when he was done he reached eagerly for his own brownie. He didn't know why Me'telnen had that odd reaction to a brownie, but it was funny.

Shane was dozing by that point, effect reaching its peak while Kyran took his time.

Kyran pulled his napkin off his neck when he was done and curled up beside him. He was happy he wasn't alone anymore.