Chapter 12

Of new beginnings

Ezra could hardly believe his luck.

He eyed the folded blouse that rested on the hospital bed, marveling at the softness of the fabric under his fingers. He wasn't a tailor, but he knew it was expensive. Same as the high-waisted red pants that laid underneath the blouse. If he was honest with himself, he felt that, at any minute, people would start bursting into the room, asking him to pay for their troubles of taking care of him. He couldn't fathom why Carol would be so kind to give him nice new clothes - it could have been any old clothing just to keep him from being naked. Or why Alice was willing to let him live with her until he was able go back to business and care for himself.

After reassuring himself again that no, they wouldn't do that since he really didn't have anything else than his tools, Ezra carefully, painfully, and slowly put on the clothes. He tried as best he could to not reopen the wounds Dr. Xu had carefully treated.

Every little move he made sent pain shooting through his entire body. It didn't come as a surprise, since most of his body was covered in deep purple bruises. He slowly made his way to the door, and found a smiling face once he exited the clinic.

"Ready to go?" Alice asked, a kind smile playing in her lips.

"I… yes," he stammered.

The sun was setting when they began the long way to her house. She was walking much slower, and it didn't take much to know it was so he could keep her pace comfortably. He felt like crying; after having the worst day of his life, after losing everything… it was very hard to believe the kindness he was receiving. But he held back the tears, since he knew it would be chaotic with one eye patched… the last thing he wanted was to increase his pain.

When they were halfway through, he spotted a black haired girl running towards them, rushing up the stairs. She was wearing gray overalls, a pickaxe hanging on her hip, a couple of containers resting in her hands. She stopped in front of them and panted heavily, trying to catch her breath.

"I'm… I'm so glad you're ok," she said through laboured breaths. "I heard from Arlo you were going to stay with Alice for a few days. Django gave me these for the three of you," she handed the containers to Alice, squeezing her arm once, greeting her.

Ezra was startled. He didn't know who this young woman was, and why she genuinely sounded so relieved.

"I was with Ginger when Siwa brought you on his boat," she scratched her arm nervously, she must have read the confusion on his face as she began to explain, "I… I was really scared you wouldn't make it. I couldn't stop thinking about if I could have run faster to get help. Gale told us you were out of danger but I guess I needed to see it for myself." Realization hit him like a cold bucket of water. In some way, she, Siwa and Dr. Xu were the ones he owed his life to.

He had to take a deep breath to stop himself from bursting into tears, biting his lip.

"No, I… thank you," he stuttered, his voice breaking. She smiled at him.

"I'll go now, I wasn't planning on stopping you for too long. Alice, please, as always, tell me if you need anything. Not just for Ezra but for you or Jack as well," the young woman added.

"I'll let you know," Alice answered, but before the smaller woman could leave, Alice grabbed her by the arm, "are you ok, Rosie? Arlo said you had a rough time."

"I am now," Rosie beamed back to her. Alice nodded, reassured about her friend, she and Ezra went on their way.

He followed Alice until they were at her front door, hesitating a bit when she opened it.

"It's not much but I think it may be more comfortable than a hospital bed," Alice explained, as though she were embarrassed.

"Is it really ok for me to stay with you?" he asked, stuck in the entrance. "I really don't want to bother you, or anyone. I'm an outsider and I'm already causing trouble."

Alice gave him a knowing smile, placing the containers on the small table at the center of the room.

"It's ok, Ezra. Now, would you be so kind to come in and close the door?" she asked with a sweet voice, although he thought her voice was sweet no matter what.

"Yes, sorry," he nervously closed the door.

They ate in a weird silence. The food was better than he'd had in his life, and he was so hungry he had to remind himself to eat slower. Jack, who had to be seven or so years, eyed him several times. He looked like he wasn't sure if he should trust him or not, which Ezra supposed was good. It was always good when kids were distrustful of adults. Jack seemed to be more mature than a kid of his age would normally be.

Jack went to bed first, and Ezra stood in the middle of the room awkwardly.

"I'll be sleeping with Jack so don't worry. You'll have this bed for the time being," Alice smiled warmly at him.

When she turned around to leave him to his own company, he surprised himself by asking, "Why are you ok with this?"

Alice looked at him for only a moment before walking to the bed. Sitting on the edge of it, she patted the side, indicating him to join her. He approached the bed slowly, hesitantly occupying the space.

"Jack and I were from Lucien," she started talking in a soft voice, as though she didn't want Jack to listen, "when we… when we lost everything, Portia took us in. That was two years ago. We arrived having nothing, and we received a lot of help from everyone. I think you're in the same situation we were. I'm just glad I can help someone as we were helped once".

He felt more at ease knowing that. He found his previous assumptions that people were doing it to get something back a bit ridiculous. Though, if he was fair, he was attacked on his way there, almost losing his life. Still, Alice sharing their space with him… it meant a lot.

"Thank you, Alice," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It's ok," she replied, standing up. "Goodnight, Ezra", Alice briefly stroked his light pink hair, before disappearing into the other room. He was startled at the sudden show of affection, but he didn't object to it.

"Goodnight, Alice," he mumbled into the dark.

Gust was on his way back home when he saw Rosie. She was on her way up the stairs, Alice held her wrist for a moment before releasing it, allowing her to continue her way to the ruins. He could have shouted to get her attention, but she was taking care of QQ so he could finish his work, it was only fair he let her do hers. He briefly glanced at the young man, his pink hair shining under the few rays of sun that remained of the day, his body covered in bruises and his eye under a white cotton patch. No wonder Rosie was so upset when she saw him, if he looked this way after being discharged from the clinic.

He carried on his way home with his fresh canvas in one hand and his easel in the other. He had been working on the exterior of his project now that he had finished the blueprints. He had decided to spend the entire day on his usual spot near the river so he could capture the light on his design. He still had another day of work if he wanted it to be perfect, but right now he could only wait for the paint to dry and check the blueprints one more time.

After spending dinner with his family, he meticulously looked over his calculations, making sure they were perfect. It wasn't his favorite task. In fact, it was what he enjoyed the least from his work, but it was what kept the buildings from falling apart so he knew it was vital, especially for a contest this big.

After he was done, he found he still had a bit of time before bed. He sat near his open window, looking at the city bathed by moonlight to pass the time. He briefly spotted Rosie dragging a bag full of materials back to her home. It made his heart ache a little.

He knew he was being ridiculous, as he had spent the last night with her. That same morning, he had woken up without a blanket covering their bodies. Weirdly enough, however, he wasn't cold. He'd felt a weight shuffle around in his arms, and couldn't help the soft smile that made its way to his lips. It took a few moments to get his eyes adjusted to the light, but he could see Rosie's sleeping form curled against his body. He'd wished time would stop. He was mesmerized looking at her dark, long eyelashes, and at the freckles that adorned her face.

Gust had hugged her close, happily inhaling her scent. He'd known the movement wouldn't stir her; he'd learned a few months ago that Rosemary was a deep sleeper. He'd thought his heart would be hammering in his chest, but there was a warm sensation of calm instead. It felt oddly right.

He didn't know how much time they'd spent like that. He drifted off back to sleep after some time, but he'd woken up as soon as she'd moved between his arms.

Gust didn't know at what point he'd walked to the bed, nor when he'd let himself fall on it, but he held her pillow against his chest. Her scent remained on it, and suddenly his bed seemed too big for him. He could easily get used to it; waking up every morning with her wrapped between his arms, admiring her dark eyelashes and her deep blue eyes when she awoke. He could get used to the morning cuddles, or the soft peppering kisses she gave him to fluster him.

And thinking about that just made his heart heavier.

When did he stop being ok with being alone? Longing was an unwelcome feeling and he just wanted it to disappear. But he couldn't just burst into her house and ask to stay.

He needed another way.