All these chapters are taking me ridiculously long to write, but nobody really reads them now anyway.

Thanks to anyone who does.

39

Ruva absorbing Corbin's warmth, watching the people continue to stream in.

Most of them needed medical attention, but they couldn't help them much more than that. There were just no beds left, and Mrs Wendyl looked sadder and sadder every time she had to turn someone away. Nearly all the beds were full as it was, and all the couches in the Rumpus room were filled with patients, with yet more scattered across the floor.

So Corbin and Ruva were sitting at the dining table, giving directions to anyone who asked, not knowing what else to do.

Leo was out on the streets with his siblings, all of them offering care packs and places where they can get help. Leo spoke to her every time he found someone who would need specialised support, so they were ready by the time they arrived.

Ruva stopped, Leo was telling her something again.

'There'll be less people headed your way now, I'm closer to the Walter Lane Market than here.'

'Does that mean you're coming back soon?' Her voice tilted up at the end, making her sound much more desperate than she would have liked.

'I've still got about five care-packs but they'll be gone soon. So yeah, I'll have to turn around soon.'

Ruva smiled, even though she couldn't see Leo, it was nice that he didn't hesitate before answering, didn't even blink when she sounded weirdly desperate.

'Okay… stay safe out there,' she finished lamely, and she could almost hear Leo's soft laugh in response.

Maybe she did; mental communication always blurred the lines a little. Leo's voice just came so naturally to her, sliding in and reverberating so cleanly in her head.

"What are you thinking of?" asked Corbin, jolting Ruva back into the room. "I've never seen that smile on your face before."

Ruva looked away and shrugged, resisting the urge to cover her reddening face.

Corbin chuckled. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, Ruva. No need to look so embarrassed."

Corbin's reassurance didn't help at all – in fact, Ruva was quite ready to run out of the dining room and hide in her bed.

The only reason she didn't run – or walk, she didn't want to go keeling into someone – was because of how tired she was. It wasn't the absolute exhaustion she had experienced yesterday, it was just… just…

She couldn't find a word to describe it, but she knew everyone else was feeling it, too.

All of the people who had moved through the dining room throughout the day, they all had the same bags under their eyes, the crinkle in their brow, the hesitation before doing anything. Everyone was moving only when they had to, and they had the same desolate look in their eyes.

They weren't physically tired, just… tired of being in danger. Under attack. Tired of trying.

That was the feeling inside of her – inside of everyone – they just wanted to be safe.

Safe seemed to be harder and harder to find.

Ruva watched as the people constantly moved past her, their faces and injuries making her feel worse and worse. What had she done today? Brood over a bowl of cereal?

All these people have been out all day while the Meyarins attacked. All while she was sleeping– sleeping. People lost their homes while she slept. People died while she slept.

Mrs Wendyl hadn't asked her to do anything, just let her enjoy time with Corbin. Why was she allowed to spend time with him when others couldn't find their parents anywhere?

She stood up from the table, carrying her bowl to the kitchen like she was a soldier on a mission.

Adding her bowl to the growing pile of dishes, Ruva took a moment to glance out the window, the pristine night tainted by the yellow glow of the fire in the background.

The hum of voices grew louder, and Ruva snapped to attention, working out what had changed.

She turned to the hallway and watched a new group of people flood in – this wasn't unusual, plenty of groups had come in over the last couple hours, most of them leaving when they realised that the beds were all full.

But this group was different, between them they carried a groaning teenager, the same age as herself. The boy's face was scrunched up tight, his arms wrapped protectively around his torso. His face was pale and he was shivering, but also covered with a sickly sweat.

The group ploughed through to the Rumpus Room, where Ruva knew Tia was waiting. Ruva resisted the urge to run in and help them, knowing she'd be more of a burden. She sighed, turning back to what she was doing.

Wait, what was she doing?

Ruva glanced around, stopping when her eyes landed on the giant pile of dirty dishes.

She knew what she could do to help.

Filling the sink with hot water, Ruva rolled up her sleeves. She was ready.

Ruva cleaned for so long her fingers wrinkled and her legs grew sore. But she couldn't stop – she wouldn't stop – not while there was work to be done.

Her arms were sore from scrubbing, the dishwater gone cold.

She emptied the sink and refilled it.

She scrubbed more.

Leo was with her.

At some point – she couldn't remember when – Leo had found her, washing the dishes almost obsessively. He hadn't spoken a word, just picked up a tea-towel and started drying.

Ruva hadn't been able to articulate what she felt, but there was a constant warmth in her chest, a warmth that exploded into a fire every time their hands touched. A smile weaved its way onto her face, something she never would have imagined after everything that happened.

Once the dishes were all clean and dry, Leo didn't hesitate before opening up cupboards and putting them away. Ruva followed his lead and started moving them, even if she didn't know where anything went.

When she came across a more obscure item, like a saucepan or the garlic crusher, Ruva would just tap Leo on the shoulder, and he would point to where they needed to go.

Each of these little interactions was more valuable than gold for Ruva, the way they could still speak even without their voices. It made it so much more calming for her.

Finally, once all the dishes were back in their rightful places, they walked out of the kitchen, a tentative smile on Ruva's face.

Not even the chaos in the Rumpus Room or the different-tired on everyone's face could deflate her mood, not after having conquered Dish Mountain.

Leo started up the stairs, Ruva following after him, and watched him turn left to the balcony door. He reached out for the handle, but he stopped mid-motion. At Ruva's curious look, he said, 'It's not quiet out there, not like what I want.'

Ruva stared at Leo's face, noticing how his hair was stuck to his head, slick with sweat, the crinkle between his brows and the bags under his eyes. He had… he felt…

He was the same. The same as all the others.

The tired-that-wasn't-quite-tired. He looked like he was ready to give up, ready to leave it all for everyone else. He had been out there, looking at all the chaos and how little he could help, nothing to help the people already fallen.

Ruva felt her heart sinking, then asked, "Are you okay?"

Leo met her eyes, the chocolate-brown seeming deeper than ever before. 'After all that? I… don't even know.'

"That's okay," she replied. "It can take a while to work it all out."

Leo smiled, but it was more of a grimace.

The silence hung between them, until Ruva asked, "What do we do now?"

'I think we should sleep, while it's still safe.'

Ruva nodded, she had no energy left to help people, washing the dishes had been both cathartic and draining. She was ready for a peaceful night's sleep, to sink beyond this house, and Tryllin, and the war.

But a peaceful night's sleep was hard to find. There were no beds in all three of the bedrooms, Greg drearily pointing them downstairs, mumbling something about couches and the quiet house.

After some questioning, Leo worked out that he meant the silent room.

The two made their way back down the stairs, turning into the silent room, which Ruva had only been in once before. It had hardly changed since she last saw it, the same old sofa, same big desk with a few chairs, and a beanbag in the corner.

Leo sat down on the couch, and Ruva followed suit. A painting of the city docks hung on the wall, the palace sitting in the background. It was still clean and whole, not a trace of the fires that were now ripping it apart.

She rested her head on Leo's shoulder, breathing a deep sigh.

Leo took a lock of her hair and pushed it behind her ear. 'What is it?'

"I don't know, I just…" she paused, hesitant to say what was on her mind.

Leo gave her hand a squeeze, and she was filled with trust.

This was Leo, who'd cared for her time and time again, and never forced anything from her in return.

"I wonder… I wonder if this will end."

'Me too.'

Her shoulder was sore.

She rolled over.

Her other shoulder was sore.

Ruva turned onto her back and opened her eyes, squinting at the light streaming through the window then closing them again.

Sitting on the couch with Leo, they had eventually fallen asleep, not waking for hours. It was more likely to be late afternoon, and Ruva was alone, now. She had a vague memory of Leo leaving, she remembered the flash of brightness as he switched on the light, and the way he pulled the blankets back up on her, caressing the side of her face before leaving.

Everything became a haze after that, she remembered hearing people thumping through the hallway, and a clatter of voices, but she couldn't for the life of her remember what they were saying.

She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. The white paint was covered in smudges, and there was a little crack in the corner, where a spider had built its web.

Ruva knew she was supposed to get up – she had to get up, they needed her help out there.

But… was that really important enough to pull her out of bed?

She was warm here. And safe.

And… empty.

Ruva sighed, noticing her depression sitting on her chest, like a large, depressed elephant. Today was going to be long. She rolled over again, pulling the blanket over her head.

She just didn't have the energy to get up.

The door handle clicked, and Ruva craned her head sideways, watching Leo walk through the door.

'You're awake now,' he said, putting down an armful of… bedsheets?

Ruva nodded, thinking of where Leo would need bedsheets. Were they making all the beds upstairs? An indoor tent to distract the children?

Leo sat on the floor beside her, brushing her hair out of her face.

Ruva's skin prickled slightly, but there was no heat blooming in her chest, or a blush creeping along her face like last night.

'Are you okay? You look a little… a little…'—Leo shrugged—'Just something seems wrong.'

Yep, there's definitely something wrong with me, thought Ruva, her voice as empty as how she felt.

'Really?! What's wrong with you? Can I help?'

Wait, had she accidentally sent that to Leo?! A squeak burst out of her, making both of them jump.

Before Leo could question her further, she answered – aloud this time, "Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I was just… making a joke."

The excuse made her cringe, and it took all of her self-control not to keep blubbering.

Leo blinked, looking just as confused as Ruva felt.

But before he could respond, Mrs Wendyl's yell cut through the house, just a single word.

"LEO!"

Ruva heard him mentally shout back, 'COMING, MUM!' before he turned back to her, saying, 'Sorry, I need to go. Rest for as long as you need.' He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, before standing up and moving to the door. 'See you later.'

He shut the door behind him, but Ruva barely noticed.

He kissed her.

Leo kissed her.

It… it felt nice.

It was strange, two nights ago—had it really been two nights?—when Leo confessed to her on the rooftop, the kiss between them hadn't felt right. It was sweet, yes, but she had felt hollow when it ended. It was a little surreal, to be honest.

But just then… that kiss was different. Leo had offered it to her without thought, hadn't even noticed what he'd done. It made Ruva feel kind of warm inside, and it was a welcome change from the emptiness she was feeling.

Ruva hadn't really enjoyed the kiss on the rooftop, but for some reason this one was much better.

There was a buzz from somewhere below her, it was her TCD. She pulled it out to find it was an automated message, one sent to everyone with a device.

She opened the message, and read through the block of text.

UPDATE:

Many cities have been under attack from Aven Dalmarta and the Meyarins. The allied forces managed to hold them back, with much loss. However, we have now realised that a stealth attack was launched in the night, targeting Bubbledoor Diffuser Stations. Several were destroyed before the attacks came to our attention.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Diffuser Stations, these devices make it safe to bubble into high-population areas without bubbling into someone. They are essential in areas with high traffic, and it is extremely dangerous to bubble into these areas.

Diffuser Stations have been disabled in the following areas:

Tryllin Metro

Tryllin Outskirts

Mardenia Metro

Karonia Harbour

DO NOT bubble into these areas, as there is a significant risk of permanent injury. More updates will be provided throughout the day.

-Authorised by King Aurileous

Ruva sighed, her stomach sinking.

More damage.

She went into the News function on her device, scrolling through the articles about everything that had happened. She learnt about the attacks on the small towns, about the alliance between humans and other species.

She watched a video announcement from the king and queen. They looked older and tireder than Ruva remembered. The king thanked everyone who was out there helping, promising his aid to all the people, and other species, too. The speech was meant to be uplifting, but it couldn't pierce the fog sitting around Ruva.

She kept on scrolling through the articles, even when they had nothing new to say, and they weren't making her feel better.

Her Device switched off, and Ruva realised it had run out of charge.

She sighed, staring up at the ceiling, counting all the dirty marks and the… footprints?

Yes, there were footprints on the ceiling. Ruva didn't have the energy to ask why.

Hours could've passed while she was staring, or it could have been minutes. But eventually, Leo came back in.

He smelt of smoke and his hair was damp, Ruva knew he'd been outside. His brow was crinkled, the bags under his eyes were a deep purple compared to his pale face.

'Your mum is coming from the hospital, now, but she has to walk because of the bubbledoor thing,' said Leo, but his eyes were downcast.

'What's wrong?'

Leo turned to her, sighing. 'Remember the teenage boy that was brought to the Rumpus Room last night?' When Ruva nodded, Leo continued, 'He got worse. And now… Tia couldn't help. He died a couple of minutes ago.'

A soft umph came from Ruva, she felt like all the air had been sucked out of her. 'Oh…'

Leo came and sat down beside her, and Ruva wrapped one of her arms around him. She didn't say anything.

She didn't need to.

Ruva felt hollower than she had ever before. Perhaps she should be crying, feel remorseful about the person who died—they died—in the room next door.

But instead of making her cry, it just took another piece of her, the big pit inside of her growing even deeper.

She was empty.

The door opened, both Sela and Corbin walking in.

Corbin knelt down beside the couch, brushing her hair out of her face. "Hey, Sweetheart, how are you feeling?"

Ruva stared into his silver eyes, nothing she could say would help them understand.

Sela joined Corbin, giving Ruva a kiss on the head. "It's been too long since I've seen you, Ruva, and it's such a shame we have to meet like this."

Ruva gave a half-hearted smile – actually, there was no heart in it at all, she lost it—it was an empty smile.

Corbin knew she was upset, and although he looked uncomfortable, he said, "You're allowed to be sad, Ruva. With everything that's happened these past couple days, I'd say you'd deserve to have a good cry."

What exactly was good about her crying?

"Rest for as long as you need," Corbin continued, "It's okay if you're not the hero in this narrative."

Sela nodded, her hand resting on her belly. It had ballooned in the months that Ruva saw it last, and if she remembered correctly the baby was only a month away. "Corbin's right. You don't always need to be there to save the day."

Ruva sighed turning over. She knew she wasn't a hero, she didn't need to save the day.

But… there were people out there who needed saving.

People she was meant to be helping, along with everyone else in the Wendyl house. She was meant to be handing out bags in the streets with Leo, washing the dishes for Mrs Wendyl, helping Tia in the Rumpus Room.

But she couldn't.

She didn't know why, but she couldn't.

Ruva was pounding through the hallway, Leo at her side. They had just finished cleaning the dining room, and she was not going to stop. As she found out in the last few weeks, when she let herself stop, she burnt out.

Today was one of the good days, where she had enough energy for anything. She had a list of things she planned on doing, including clearing the massive pile of dishes, changing the sheets on all the dirty beds, and being prepared to leave at any time. The TCD wards were back in place, but they were still unreliable, it was advised only to bubble in the case of emergencies and to locations you knew would have no people.

Turning out of the dining room, the two of them bumped into Sela and Corbin. It sounded like they were… like they were… arguing.

"You need to rest, Sela, you're not supposed to be doing so much work, especially now that you're only four weeks away."

"I know, Corbin, I really do. I know how risky this is, but I can't just sit on the sidelines. The public is in danger."

Leo coughed, and they both jumped, absorbed in their argument so much that they hadn't noticed the two of them yet.

"Oh! Uh… Hi, you two. We just have to… have to…" Corbin trailed off, looking to Sela.

"We have to go help Tia," Sela interceded. "And Ruva? Tell us if you're going out, just so we know where you are."

Ruva nodded, barely noticing the question, instead focusing on their argument.

Sela was meant to be resting? Is it because she's pregnant?

Ruva didn't know what Sela was supposed to do, but she did know what she would do. Sela wouldn't sit down for a moment, not when there was someone else she could help. Sela would only rest when she was tired, after years as a Doctor, she knew that people couldn't get what they needed if she couldn't give it to them properly.

Leo gave Ruva a little nudge, and they continued walking to the silent room. All of her curiosity disappeared when Leo opened the door, the silence seeming to fill the hallway.

Once they sealed the door, the room was swallowed by quiet—but not the normal quiet. The silent room was silent for a different reason.

There were four of them, all forced into comas.

It was Grimm's gift. Grimm Helkin.

They were trapped inside their own minds, no way to escape. They lay on couches and mattresses, although before they had been in the Rumpus room. As soon as Tia knew they weren't degenerating, she had them all moved here, so she had room for patients in more need.

After a while, Ruva pulled out her TCD, opening it up. Leo nodded, and she called Harry and Arra.

The call connected in seconds, and Ruva smiled to see that they both looked well.

"Hey, you guys," said Arra. "What's been happening over in Tryllin?"

Ruva bit her lip, looking to Leo. Although he couldn't talk over the call, he always told Ruva what to say.

Harry noticed the silence between them all, so he said, "This is the third week of the war, right?"

At their nods, he swore, "Just lost a bet, then."

"Why would you bet on when the war would end?" Arra asked, a tone harsher than Ruva had expected.

Harry just shrugged, his eyes flickering from disappointment.

Leo sent something to Ruva, and she relayed it to the group. "Leo saw Aven the other day."

Their jaws both dropped, and Leo gave a silent laugh at their faces.

'No, not like that!' he said, his laughter echoing in Ruva's mind. 'I was roof running when I saw him from a few blocks away, hovering with some other Meyarin. He was watching the fighting below, but nobody saw me.'

Ruva relayed his message, the concerned looks on their face easing—if only slightly.

The silence hung between them for a moment, then Arra spoke. "Well, it sounds like things have found some sort of routine for you, but here it's the exact opposite."

"Yeah," Harry added. "There's been an attack every day without fail, but the Akarnae wards will only let so many through."

"Mum finally let me join the fighting, but only after Pip and Tim promised to protect me with their lives," said Arra, seeming excited.

Ruva didn't know what to say. How was she supposed to react to that? Eventually she nodded, offering a small smile.

Arra laughed. "It's okay, Ruva. I know you're not into that sort of thing. But don't worry about me," she added. "I can defend myself."

Ruva smiled, but she was still rigid, until Leo gave her a subtle squeeze.

"Oh yeah! I just remembered!" yelled Harry, his voice crackling through the call. Arra gave him a nudge, and he noticed Leo and Ruva's winces. "Right, sorry. Anyway, this week we found out something life changing."

Arra rolled her eyes, but didn't interrupt.

"Maggie's a Meyarin!"

What? thought Ruva, Leo echoing the sentiment.

"Yep, that's right. Magalina Llodihas is a Meyarin."

Arra elbowed him. "Her full name is Magdelina Llohilas, not whatever you just said." Looking at Leo and Ruva's skeptical faces, she added, "He's right, you know. Everyone saw her get stabbed the other day, and her blood was silver. Sure was a shocker."

Ruva bit her lip, wondering how her friend managed to confirm that their teacher was both a Meyarin and was stabbed without batting an eye.

"Yeah, I reckon that's all we've got to say. Unless Harry has something."

"Well actually, I do," said Harry, giving Arra a meaningful look.

Her eyes widened and she burst out, "No. Trust me, Harry, they don't want to know about how the dishwasher filled with custard."

Ruva felt a laugh bubbling up inside of her, something she hadn't felt… at all in the past few weeks.

"Come on, it's a great story—"

"No," interrupted Arra. "It's really not. Just shush." After administering a sufficient glare, Arra turned back to them. "So what else has been happening near you?"

And just like that, the bubbly feeling in Ruva's stomach was gone.

Leo wrapped and arm around her, but just the same, he said, 'Tell them about the fires.'

Ruva swallowed, but obliged, slowly going over all the chaos and destruction that had happened since their last call.

Her voice was empty as she described how the flames had broken past the palace, leaping into the gardens surrounding and eating their way down to the sea. The yellow tint that was everywhere because there was so much smoke in the air. Every sunset was red. And the buildings. So many homes had been destroyed, and they still hadn't worked out how to stop the flames.

"People have been evacuating, but everywhere else is just as damaged," she paused, thinking of the glimpses she had seen on the comTCD telecast. Streets stained red in Mardenia. Maroo up in flames. Water gushing into Nialas. The sunny side of Graevale fallen, the pristine buildings shattered from pure power.

And the gifts. Aven's gifted soldiers.

"One of them has been in Tryllin so much. Grimm Helkin. He's put so many people into comas. The hospitals aren't accepting them anymore, not when there's nothing they can do." Ruva felt tears in her eyes, but her voice remained a monotone.

"Every day has been getting harder. There just isn't enough. Enough supplies. Enough help. Enough time." Ruva's voice clogged up, her breathing no longer steady.

'It's okay, Ruva. I'm still here.' Leo turned her head, his brown eyes boring into hers. They didn't look like chocolate, now. They seemed as deep as the ocean.

Ruva gazed into them, not hesitating before resting her head on his shoulder.

Staring into his eyes, Ruva could feel everything he was trying to give her. His eyes were whispering for her to hold strong, to never give up—or maybe he was, the line between them had never been more blurry.

Harry coughed, and they both jumped, realising that Harry and Arra could see everything.

Ruva forced a small laugh, making her sound something like a mix between a horse and a mouse.

"Well…" said Arra, her eyes shining with mirth. "It seems like you two have enjoyed each other's company." Then she sobered, saying, "I think there's nothing left to say…"

Yes, there was nothing left. Too much nothing.

"…Then I guess we'll say goodbye."

Ruva nodded, "Bye."

Arra nodded, and Harry said, "See you next week."

He didn't say maybe. He didn't have to.

Ruva stared at her friends' faces as the call ended. She put her TCD back in her pocket, turning to Leo.

But before she could say anything, he wrapped her in a hug, and she caved into it.

'You found that really hard.'

She nodded, before realising that Leo couldn't see it when her face was buried in his chest.

'I know it was tough, but you did a really good job.'

Ruva pulled back, not hiding the sweet smile that spread across her face. "Thanks," she whispered. And she meant it.

Ruva hugged him again, just holding him tight and letting their warmth bleed together.

The tender moment was exactly what Ruva needed until…

Mrs Wendyl opened the door, smiling as they jumped apart.

'Mum! You – uh – you look well.'

She smiled, but it lasted only a moment, before the mirth was pulled under. "There's been an accident at Tryllin Major Hospital."

Leo flinched, and Ruva said, "The hospital? With all those people?"

Mrs Wendyl sighed. "Yes, unfortunately. Part of the left wing has collapsed, and I want you two over there to help them."

They both nodded, Ruva already running a list of everything she needed to grab before they left.

"I'll send more people eventually, but right now they're all running care packs. Remember to grab your TCDs, and that there's room here in our Rumpus Room. Direct people into other buildings near the hospital, and this report needs to get to the Director, understand?" Mrs Wendyl handed them an envelope.

They nodded again, powering out the door to gather what they needed.

No more than five minutes later, they were both standing at the door, Ruva's rucksack full of equipment.

Mrs Wendyl met them at the door, giving them both a hug. She handed them a bubbler vial, Ruva's eyes widening. "Use this only in the case of emergencies," she warned. "Bubble onto the Greyers' roof, across the road." Leo nodded, putting it in his pocket.

Ruva had no idea who the Greyers were, but she guessed that they were neighbours of the Wendyls.

"I love you both, please come back home safely." She reached in, giving them both a kiss.

Ruva wasn't surprised by this gesture of affection. In the weeks that she'd been here, the Wendyls had adopted her as one of their own, and she found that she was growing comfortable with all their chaos – as comfortable as one could be in a warzone.

They stepped out the front door, and as it shut behind them, Ruva couldn't help but wonder; would they come home safely?