AN: Thanks so much CreepyNick1, notasongfic and TaintedBloodLily for reviewing the previous chapter! This chapter is shorter than usual, but it has some fluff, so that's important, yes? I know this might feel like a filler, but it's leading up to something, I promise! Now, enjoy!


Chapter 28:

Pushing their way through the crowds as they made their way back to the Inn, Axel clasped Lynus' hand in his, pulling him against his side. Subconsciously, Lynus squeezed Axel's hand while he touched his arm with the other. He wasn't the one for large crowds (despite working in the hospital) so Axel's presence was reassuring.

"Ah, Mr Lynus!"

Pausing in front of the Sitoth Trading, Lynus turned and waited for Abigail as she toddled out of her father's shop and approached him. "How are you feeling?" she asked him, her concern prevalent.

"Oh, I'm fine," Lynus replied automatically, like he had done several times already throughout the day. Moring, actually.

"Papa and I heard what happened at the hospital yesterday," Abigail explained, her usually cheerful (and somewhat airy) expression replaced with distress. "We were so worried."

Lynus unconsciously tightened his hold on Axel's hand, not that comfortable with the attention he had been receiving. "Ah…Oh, sorry for making you worry," he said as he smiled reassuringly. "But the Shard Mace you and your father made for me was very useful. So, it was actually thanks to your father's skills."

Abigail giggled, returning to her sunny self. "Papa will be happy to hear that. But you take care of yourself now, ok?"

"I will," Lynus replied, taking his cue to leave. "Thank you."

He gave the adorable young lady a small wave as Axel silently nodded in her direction. They then continued their journey, Lynus inwardly hoping that he didn't bump into anyone else he knew. It just felt so strange being the centre of everyone's concern.

"Lynus!" Binah greeted as she skipped over to him, giving him her customary hug the moment he stepped inside the hotel lobby.

Reluctantly letting go of Axel's hand, Lynus gently patted Binah on top of her, something that was also quite habitual. "Hello Binah," he said as he straightened one of her bows. He looked behind her, smiling at the other pink-haired girl who was Binah's constant companion. "Hello Becky."

"H-hello," Becky replied in her usually timid way. "Are you feeling better? You didn't eat much at breakfast."

"Oh, I'm fine. Really," Lynus found himself saying yet again. "Sorry for making you two worry."

Hopping away from Lynus, Binah turned her attention to Axel, pointing an authoritative finger at him. "Make sure he takes it easy, kay, Axel?" she practically ordered in her most commanding voice.

"You got it," Axel replied quickly, prompting the young Troubadour to smile brightly up at him.

"Mama!" Becky said as she pattered toward the kitchen. "Lynus is back."

A mere moment later, Matron appeared, the large motherly woman smiling brightly. "Oh, good," she said, sounding quite pleased.

"Lunch is about to be served," Binah said as she bounded happily toward Matron.

"We helped," Becky explained, her mother nodding her head, while looking undeniably proud.

Lynus smiled. "Did you have fun?"

"Yep!" Binah grinned her cheery smile.

"Well," Lynus chuckled. "I'll just wait in the dining hall, then."

"Oh no, sweetie," Matron interrupted him as he turned to leave. "We have a special lunch made for you."

Lynus turned to look at the inn-keeper, silent surprise on his face. "For me?"

"Of course!" Matron beamed. "Everyone has heard of your bravery."

Lynus felt uneasy and flustered. "I wouldn't exactly call it brave..." he muttered.

"You wouldn't," Matron retorted with a light chortled, sounding as if she had expected such a response. "But everyone else does."

Lynus chewed lightly on his bottom lip. He didn't consider himself brave by any means. He did what needed to be done. Patients and his fellow healers were in danger. Axel and all the other explorers who offered their aide, running headlong into an unknown situation – they were the heroes. They were the ones that were brave.

Not him. The only thing he really did was to alert those who could help, while getting poisoned during the process. Nothing more.

"Why doesn't Axel join you?" Matron suddenly suggested, pulling Lynus from his musings. "Just the two of you having lunch would be a nice change of pace, hmm?"

Lynus blinked before slowly nodding his head. It did sound nice, to be honest. Maybe that way he could momentarily hide from all the concern that was wasted on him. "Ah, yes, I guess so," he said before turning to look at Axel, gauging to see if it was alright with him. He had been standing silently in the background the entire time.

Axel looked at him before smiling. "Sure," he said.

Matron released a boisterous chortle. "This way," she said as she turned in the opposite direction of the dining hall, leading the two of them into a more private setting. They soon reached a set of doors, of which lead to a small, but cosy, room.

The food had already been laid out beautifully on the single round table with two chairs. It was situated in front of an open bay window, allowing a soothing breeze to flitter in, making the curtains flutter gently. The view from the window overlooked a charmingly manicured garden, the scent of flowers drifting on the winds.

Lynus was slightly taken aback by the sight, noticing immediately by how carefully and meticulously everything was planned. He wasn't really expecting something so…thoughtful.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate in asking!" Matron said, once again startling Lynus from his thoughts.

"Oh, ah, thank you," Lynus found himself stuttering, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the generosity.

Matron smiled and turned to the two pink-haired girls who had inevitably followed. "Let's go, girls."

"Enjoy your meals," Becky wished them warmly, bowing slightly.

"Later, Lynus!" Binah grinned, waving joyously at him.

Scurrying out of the room, they shut the doors behind them, leaving Lynus and Axel alone. Despite that, though, Lynus felt somewhat on edge. As ridiculous as it was, he felt as if he should be expecting something to happen. What that something was, he had no idea.

Almost as if on cue, a gentle melody began to play. It wasn't loud, so it wasn't coming from somewhere inside the room. It was quite soft, tender really.

But where was it coming from?

"Is that music?" Axel was the one to ask as he shrugged off his armour, removing it to become more comfortable.

"It's coming from outside," Lynus said as he walked over to the window. He looked out at the gardens, but was unable to see anyone. He soon realised that the music was coming from above. Turning so he could lean backwards out of the window slightly, he looked up, noting that the room above seemed to have the windows open.

"Lirit?" Lynus tested. The music sounded somewhat familiar.

Immediately the music stopped and not a second later a familiar teen with hair as orange as Lynus' was peered down, his hair curtaining around his face. "Oh, Lynus?" Lirit said, looking both surprised and modest. "Sorry, is the music bothering you?"

"No, not at all," Lynus immediately reassured, smiling as he did so. "It's very beautiful."

Lirit returned the smile. "Is it alright if I keep playing?"

Lynus nodded his head. "Sure."

Shifting back inside, the music, as gentle and loving as before, started back up. It was quite a beautiful song. Thinking back, Lynus never really had the chance to listen to Lirit's music. He was very good.

"You can relax now," Axel unexpectedly stated.

Lynus blinked and glanced toward Axel, noticing that he had removed his cumbersome armour. He had a hand on his hip, a rather knowing expression on his face.

"…Am I that obvious?" Lynus asked, both embarrassed but grateful for Axel for being so observant nonetheless.

"A little," Axel said with a smile, walking over to him.

"All this attention," Lynus murmured as he leaned against the window sill, fidgeting with hem of his shirt. "It's a little embarrassing, to be honest."

"It doesn't hurt to be fussed over once in a while," Axel said, more as a statement of fact than a comment.

Lynus shrugged, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Maybe."

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, no, it's nothing," Lynus said dismissively as he looked away, finding Axel's gaze a little too…attentive right now. For whatever reason.

However, Axel slipped a hand under Lynus' chin and gently, but also firmly, turning his face toward him once again. "Don't hide anything from me," he said, his eyes looking unashamedly into Lynus'.

"Sorry," Lynus automatically replied, the tension he had no idea he was hiding in his shoulders, promptly relaxing. He took a hold of Axel's hand, wrapping his slender fingers around his wrist. "It's just…"

With a sigh, Lynus managed to remove Axel's hold on his chin, but he kept his own grip on Axel's hand. "This attention is making me feel uneasy," he finally admitted. "I mean, I'm used to keeping a low profile. Do what is expected and then take a step backwards, disappearing into the shadows. Being the centre of attention was a bad thing."

Axel looked at him with empathy in his eyes. "You don't have to hide anymore," he said as he entwined his fingers with Lynus'.

"I know," Lynus said as he uttered another sigh. "I can't just…"

It was hard.

"You don't have to be completely open to everyone," Axel stated as he tenderly pulled Lynus away from the window. "And I am not expecting you to simply forget everything that had happened to you. But you don't have to hide from me. I want to know everything about you. I want to make it up to you for those eight years."

Lynus felt honoured to hear those words. But he also felt apprehensive. He was becoming more and more dependent on Axel. He knew he was. But what had he offered Axel in return? He couldn't bear the thought of being a burden to him.

"You've already done so much for me," Lynus said softly, smiling sadly as he tried to disentangle his hold on Axel's hand. "But I haven't-"

"Yes you have," Axel said, interrupting him swiftly, tightening their joined hands.

"What?" Lynus uttered in surprise before shaking his head. "What have I-?"

"You're here," Axel once again interrupted him, a very light sense of desperation in his voice. "That's enough."

A strange feeling of…happiness abruptly appeared within Lynus' chest and he felt oddly giddy. And, for some unknown reason, he felt his eyes become somewhat misty. "Is it?" he said, trying to push down that lump of emotion that had unexpectedly lodged in his throat.

The soft music that Lirit was playing wasn't helping.

"Yeah," Axel smiled, his head quirked just so to the side, his eyes warm and adoring. "You've been through so much and you're very good at looking after everyone else. You're good at a lot of things. But you're not good at taking care of yourself, are you?"

"I know how to look after myself," Lynus said, unable to stop himself from pouting.

"There's a difference between looking after yourself and taking care of yourself," Axel retorted, smiling nonetheless.

With Axel still holding his hand, carefully leading him over to the table and chairs, Lynus took a moment to mull over those words. Looking after oneself meant doing what was necessary to live. Eat right, sleep when needed and do what was expected. But…taking care of yourself was different, wasn't it? To care for someone meant doing things to make them happy, to make them comfortable.

Had he ever done something just for himself? He didn't have the slightest clue on how the answer that. The thought of it was simply too foreign for him to fully comprehend.

"…I guess there is," he said softly as he lowered himself into a chair, feeling understandably bewildered by this truth.

"I want to take care of you," Axel admitted as he slipped into the chair next to his, dragging it closer. "I like taking care of you. You don't have to do things by yourself anymore. There are more than enough people willing to lend a hand."

"I know, I know," Lynus said. He wasn't just saying that to agree. He was starting to understand it. The premises of it, at least. Still, he was nervous. How could he apply that knowledge to himself? He had never asked for help before.

"It just…hard, you know?" Lynus admitted with a shaky breath. "It won't be easy."

"It'll be easier than you think," Axel replied confidently, slipping his arm comfortably around Lynus' shoulders.

Still feeling slightly startled, but not at all uneasy or uncomfortable, Lynus leaned toward Axel and rested his head against his shoulder, his crown brushing against Axel's chin. "How in the world do you put up with me?" he murmured softly under his breath.

"It's no hardship," Axel said, lowering his chin a little so that his lips were brushing against Lynus' hairline as he spoke. "You deserve it all. And you'll be worth waiting for."

Lynus grasped at the front of Axel's shirt. Did he really deserve any of this? Was he worthy of Axel's (or anyone else's) attention and affection? After all the traumatic experiences that Lynus had been through, was he really worthy?

"Is this really ok?"

"Yeah."

But…it would be wrong to tell them what to do, what to feel, wouldn't it? Their feelings and affections were real. So, if they felt that he was worth their time, then maybe he was…

"Then…I'll try my best," Lynus finally relented, pressing his cheek against Axel's shoulder as he nuzzled close to him.

Axel's arms soon found their way around him again, as strong and reassuring as ever. "That's all I'm asking."

"Thank you."

… … … … …

"Are they married yet?" Macerio couldn't help asking, sounding surprisingly bitter.

"They won't get married yet," Binah answered tersely. She gave him a stern look, folding her arms resolutely over her chest. "That'll come later."

Macerio looked undeniably disturbed. "I suppose you're going to make a Quest out of that, too?"

"Yep!"

Still playing his lute, Lirit glanced over to the brown-haired Gunner, offering him a softly sympathetic look. Macerio had been dragged upstairs, not wanting to struggle against the pink-haired Troubadour with Matron so close by. Binah had scurried upstairs the moment Lynus and Axel were escorted to their private room.

Lirit was the only one near the window at this point. He couldn't see what was happening in the room below, but he was certain everything was working out just fine between them. Between the lulls of his music, he was able to make out a few words. Troubadour's have impeccable hearing, after all.

And from what he could hear, Lynus was silently suffering. The attention he had been receiving during the day was making him feel uneasy and uncomfortable. No surprise, really, considering what he had to live through.

Lirit may not have known Lynus as long as Rahas or Binah, but he cared for the loving Medic. They were complete strangers when they met, but he immediately took him under his wing, helping him, guiding him. Even protecting him.

Binah was able to pick up on Lynus' silent distress as well. Lynus kept his fear and emotions hidden behind a reassuring smile and an empathetic ear. He was caring and gentle. He was there to lend a shoulder to anyone who needed support and reassurance.

But…what about him? Who could heal a healer?

Was that why Rahas seemed so…tense around him? Rahas wanted to become stronger in order to protect him. But he wasn't able to help him the way that Lynus had aided him during all those years. That was why he was always so frustrated.

The only person who could really get through to Lynus had to be Axel. He wasn't there during those eight years Lynus was held captive, but that was a good thing. He wasn't a reminder of those dark times. He was the present, the future. He may not fully understand the pain and suffering Lynus had to have gone through, but he was the security. Those days were sure to never happen again.

"I still can't believe it…" Macerio was heard muttering as he leaned against the wall next to the window, where Lirit was sitting on the sill, playing his lute. "You even got Matron pushing the two together."

"Why wouldn't she?" Binah said. "She would know Soul-Mates when she sees them."

Macerio didn't know how to really respond to that. "So…she's a fan, then?"

"Yep!" Binah agreed, sticking her tongue out at him. "Who isn't?"

"My cousin, actually," Macerio answered, tapping his chin in thought.

"Ah, well, no one really cares about her," Binah unexpectedly said, sounding dismissive.

"Hah, touché," Macerio replied, grinning as he did so.

Lirit smiled as he continued to play his song. Coming to Lagaard was a wise choice. Everything, with time, was going to be ok.

Everyone was going to be ok.


AN: Please don't be afraid to let me know what you think!