Jasper woke feeling weak. He tried to figure out where he was, then sat up quickly as he remembered what happened. He let out a small groan and pulled his trash can off the floor before using it to be sick in. He finally wiped his face off and laid back, eyes staring at the ceiling blankly.
"Jazz?" Magnus' voice was hesitant.
Jasper slowly turned his head, "Hey, Mag."
"Don't die on me."
"I'm sick, I can't exactly control if I die. But I'll try." Jasper said, his lack of energy obvious.
"Just warn me so I have time to get ready." His lover was only slightly less distraught than when Zephyr had returned.
Jasper's hand went to his own neck, rubbing it softly.
"I shouldn't have left you." Magnus looked absolutely miserable.
"You're fine, I don't blame you." Jasper answered, "I love you."
"I'm worried."
"About?"
"You. What happens now." He chuckled wryly. "About everything, I guess."
"Well.. your parents are gone. You can take the throne?" Jasper shrugged. "I don't know if my mom is still alive. I'm sorry you're worried about me. I'll be okay."
Magnus sighed. "I don't think taking the throne is a good idea. And I love you. Can't help worrying after everything. My head is a mess."
Jasper hugged Magnus, "I'm here for you."
He gave him a small smile, then narrowed his eyes as the guard alarm began ringing. "What now?!"
Jasper sighed and pushed himself up slowly. "Just stay here, I'll figure it out.."
Magnus raised his eyebrow. "Jazz.."
"I'll be right back."
Jasper went into the hall and checked the area the alarm was coming from. He headed down and opened the door to a storeroom.
Two teen boys were stuffing various drugs into a threadbare bag as well as bread into just as threadbare hoodies. Both looked up in alarm and ran for the window as they saw Jasper.
"Hey.. if you need supplies all you have to do is ask."
One of them stopped and bared his teeth. "Like you'd give us anything." He pulled a knife from a pair of ratty boots. "Come closer and I'll kill you."
"You literally know nothing about me.." Jasper said quietly. "You're at the base of the Chosen and freedom movements.. We're literally just here to help people."
The other boy swallowed hard, dropping the bag. "We won't take the medicine. Just let us have the bread. It's not for us."
"Take whatever you need. And if your friend is sick, we have a healer here who might be able to help.."
"You have a healer?!" The boy with the knife widened his eyes, then dropped it. He exchanged hopeful looks with the other boy.
"She can't heal everything.. but she will try. If you don't trust us enough to bring your friend here, Callie can go with you."
"Most of us are sick from bad food. Sensei..he's sick but we don't know why." The second boy looked at the medicine. "We thought some of this must work.."
The first boy began to sway, then his eyes rolled up as he fell to the floor convulsing.
The second quickly held him down, his movements indicating he was used to the occurrence.
Jasper sighed and called Callie. The girl came in and looked around before kneeling beside the boys and beginning to work.
"I'll send my friend Zephyr with you guys to help bring the others and your sensei here. We can help you all." Jasper said. "I apologize for not going myself but I'm not up to strength right now."
"Why would you help escapees? We're marked for death."
"Prison escapees? I was one too."
The boy stopped short. "Were you kidnapped too?"
Jasper frowned, "I was caught.. trying to escape my country. I have gifts, am trans and gay, so I kind of fit all their criteria for imprisonment.."
"We were stolen from Dayama..Our town was burned, parents killed. Then we were put in what they said was a training facility, but it was prison. Sensei helped us escape, but he fell ill not long after. Is Ryuga alright?"
"I didn't realize they were kidnapping from Dayama.." Jasper said quietly.
"He'll be okay," Callie informed.
The boy exhaled in relief. "He's always had headaches, but one of the guards hit him really hard and now he convulses like that at odd times." He looked at Jasper. "We're really not in trouble?"
"You're not in trouble. And like I said, I want to help you." He called Zephyr before looking back at the boy. "Zeph and Callie will help you, but once you are all fixed up and settled, I'll meet with you guys again and get to know you all better." He leaned on the wall for support.
The boy nodded, leaning out the window. "Tsuna!"
A tall dark blond appeared. "Bashi?"
"Take these two adults to Sensei. She's a healer. Ryuga had an episode and I'm staying with him." He tossed the food down along with the bag of medicine.
Zephyr appeared and followed Callie.
"We can take Ryuga to the medbay to rest," Jasper said quietly.
Bashi hefted his friend. "Where?"
Jasper led him to a hall and began walking. He slowed a bit, leaning on the wall for a few moments before pushing on.
"You look as bad as Sensei."
"Callie is trying to help me.. I was poisoned by my parents and instead of it killing me it just tore up my body. Doesn't help that I just almost died at the palace.."
Bashi nodded wordlessly, his lips a tight line.
Jasper got them into the medbay and pointed to an open bed, "He can rest there." He then slowly sat on the end of another bed, calling Magnus.
The boy lay his friend down, then stood as close as possible to the wall as Magnus entered.
"You were supposed to be resting." The aquakinetic frowned as he saw the two boys. "Who are they?"
"Did you know the government was kidnapping from Dayama?" Jasper asked, looking like he was about to fall over.
"WHAT?!"
"That's where they're from. Got scooped up and put in prison." Jasper motioned toward the boys before laying back and closing his eyes. "Zeph and Callie are helping their friends.. I'm glad I met them but I really should have stayed in bed.."
"Idiot." Magnus kissed him softly, carding fingers through Jasper's hair.
Bashi remained silent, hugging himself and watching Ryuga sleep.
Jasper's breathing slowed as he fell asleep for a few minutes before he began hyperventilating.
Magnus began to panic, cursing Callie's absence. He held Jasper close and prayed desperately.
Jasper began moving slightly as his face creased. "Don't... please.."
"Jazz, please. Listen to my voice and dream of me. You have to relax and rest."
Jasper relaxed slightly. "Mag.."
Magnus chuckled, then looked up as the smell of smoke reached his nose. His eyes widened as he saw the awake boy calmly smother flames licking the skin of one arm.
The boy raised bored eyes to Magnus. "What?"
"You're..burning."
"A fire user does that when they near burn out. No pun intended. But as long as Sensei recovers, it will be fine." He smothered another small flame on his leg. "I estimate I have maybe a day left."
"Pretty calm about it."
"Panic gets nobody anywhere. It's just a fact."
Jasper shifted in his sleep, a few objects around the room beginning to rise from their places.
"Jazz, put them down."
They flew into a spot on the wall, attacking an invisible enemy. "Don't.."
"Dammit." Magnus shook Jasper's shoulder. "Wake up, Jazz."
Jasper shot up, eyes darting around rapidly.
"Mind not throwing supplies around?" Magnus asked softly.
Jasper frowned before noticing a pile on the floor. He hung his head a moment before grabbing a pair of handcuffs. He held them out to Magnus before holding his wrists out. "These'll stop me from doing that again.."
"Baby, I don't want to do that." Magnus sighed. He suddenly ran to the other wall, shoving the boy to the ground and rolling him around.
"What the hell?" Jasper asked in confusion.
"He's like the twins. Only he's burning out, it seems." Magnus gently set the now unconscious boy in another bed. "Are you sure about the cuffs?"
"Don't want to hurt anyone.."
"Alright." Magnus attached the cuffs slowly. "Sure hope Callie returns breathing sounds bad."
"Have her take care of them first." Jasper ordered before sighing, "Too bad I'm so weak.. the handcuffs would be fun.."
"Maybe later?" Magnus smirked slightly before sobering. "I wish you'd stop putting everyone ahead of yourself."
"It's who I am.."
"Be a little selfish for once!" Magnus growled. "Or are you desiring the tragic hero spot so badly?"
Jasper looked down. "I just.. I accepted my illness a long time ago. If others can be helped before me, I want them to be. I don't expect you to understand."
"Baby..you forget I'm sick too. But I don't think this boy can be helped." Magnus's voice dropped. "I saw one burn out once. He just burst into flames and disintegrated. The trainers made us watch.."
"I'm sorry." Jasper said quietly. "I'll be a little selfish.. come hold me?"
Magnus gave a small smile, wrapping his arms around Jasper tightly. "Not to be morbid, but this would be the best way to die. Held in the arms of your true love and just slipping into the darkness.."
Jasper nodded, about to answer when his eyes glazed.
Magnus held his breath in concern.
Jasper's eyes slowly cleared, his face confused.
"Jazz? What did you see?"
"It was like a vision but .. cloudy? All my visions are normally clear but this one wasn't.."
Magnus remained silent, foreboding washing over him.
Jasper looked at Magnus a moment, "It means I'm getting worse, doesn't it?"
Magnus looked away.
Jasper closed his eyes before trying to push himself up.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"You shouldn't have to see me get worse.. Just remember my good times.."
"Do you think I'm going to leave you?!"
Jasper shrugged slightly.
"Bastard!" The word was hissed, anger Jasper hadn't heard since Magnus' capture two years ago coloring the word.
Jasper winced and shrunk in on himself.
"Didn't we say we were going to spend the rest of our lives together? Now you're trying to run away." Magnus clenched his fists, then deflated. "I did say be selfish, didn't I? Fine. Run away. Better yet, I will." He strode out of the room.
Jasper broke into tears, crying to the point of throwing up.
Zephyr growled when they came into the medbay and found Jasper. He talked to the leader a few moments before going to find Magnus.
The cryokinetic was in a training room, his hands coated in ice as he punched a bag viciously. His breaths were fast and short, his skin starting to tinge blue.
"You called him selfish, but as usual, he's being the opposite. He doesn't want to force you to watch him die." Zephyr said quietly. "Callie's trying her best with him but I don't think he has much time.. I think he knows that too."
"He refused to leave me, but he expects me to. I'm just giving him what he wants." Magnus forced his trembling hands still.
Zephyr just let out a sigh. "I get it. But I'm going to be there for him even if he doesn't want it. He shouldn't die alone." They turned to the door.
"He won't. I'll be waiting."
Zephyr turned back, "Planning on killing yourself?""
"What's it to you?" The words were starting to slur, Magnus now resting his head on the bag.
"Didn't think I'd be losing both my friends.." Zephyr sighed. "Guess I'm supposed to be alone, huh?"
"Friend? I'm just an intruder. A block to your friendship with Jazz. And a worthless one at that." Magnus began to sink to the floor.
Zephyr used their speed and quickly picked up Magnus and ran him to the medbay to have Callie look him over.
"You're a friend. One of my only.." Zephyr admitted as they went back to Jasper's side and held the unconscious man's hand.
Magnus's eyes slid shut, tears streaming down.
Callie worked on Magnus then checked on the others before going back to researching ways to help Jasper.
Ryuga sat dejectedly beside the other boy, his eyes on the floor.
Callie sighed and got back up, going to their side again. She began forcing energy into Bashi, standing there a long time before a light flashed and she swayed.
Ryuga stared at her.
Magnus slid off his bed, stumbling to Jasper's side. "I'm sorry..I love you."
Callie sat down and looked around the room before pulling her book back out.
Zephyr looked at Magnus, pulling him into a seat. "You need to rest."
Jasper was half conscious, "Love.. you."
"Why didn't you let me go with him?!" Magnus asked Zephyr in despair.
"Because, he wants you to live." Zephyr answered. "And so do I."
"I don't want to, not without him." Magnus buried his face in Jasper's chest.
Zephyr just sighed again and shook their head. After a minute, they finally spoke, "I get it."
Magnus shook his head. "I'm sorry. You're hurting even more than I am. It's just..he saved me in so many ways and I can't do anything.."
Zephyr took a deep breath, "Just be there for him. That's enough."
"What about after? What do I do when he's gone?"
"I don't know.. Haven't figured that out myself yet.."
Magnus went silent.
"Just.. be happy.." Jasper whispered, eyes closed.
"Not possible without you." Magnus shook his head.
Jasper opened his mouth to speak but closed it again. His breath wheezed slightly as he grasped Magnus' hand.
Magnus squeezed it gently. "I'm here, baby."
"Zeph.. you have the envelope.. right?" Jasper asked slowly.
"In my room. Don't worry. I'm going to take care of everything for you. I'll even overtake all the governments in your honor."
Jasper let out a weak laugh before opening his eyes slightly and looking at Magnus. "I'm sorry.."
Magnus gave him a teary smile. "I know. But it's okay. Go rest now. I will always love you."
Jasper closed his eyes, "I love.." his head began to fall.
Magnus gave him a soft kiss.
Callie stood from her chair, moving to Jasper's side. She began pouring energy into him.
Magnus let out a anguished cry, bolting from the room.
Zephyr was torn between wanting to follow and wanting to watch Callie work. They finally decided to get up and followed the cryokinetic.
Magnus was sprawled on his and Jasper's bed, sobbing harshly.
Zephyr sat down and gently rubbed Magnus' back.
"I..I can't do this..I feel like when I was disowned. No one on my side. I've been opened up too long. I should have just left when he freed me."
"I'm sorry." Zephyr said quietly. "I can't imagine all you've been through."
"I deserve this. Got my first boyfriend killed, now I've had another taken. It's justice."
"You don't deserve this."
Magnus let out a dark chuckle. "I do. See, I screwed up in training and Lucien paid the price. So now karma has come back around. But I know better now. No one else will die because no one will ever get close again." He got up and began packing a small bag.
"Jazz doesn't want this for you. He wants you to be happy."
"Jazz isn't here anymore or haven't you noticed?" Magnus took a deep breath. "Thanks for everything. I hope you can make Jazz's wish a reality."
Suddenly Zephyr's phone rang. After answering it, they grabbed Magnus and sped back to the medbay.
Magnus wrenched away, heading for the door.
"He's breathing." Callie said quietly.
Magnus smiled bitterly. "Long enough to let my heart heal before ripping it away again?" He shook his head. "I'm done here."
"I don't know if they told you but you died before and I got you breathing again so he wouldn't be alone! Now I do the same for you and you're just going to leave him?" Callie shook her head.
"Let him go if he wants," Zephyr said quietly. "Jazz will understand if he does wake."
Magnus screamed, then bolted once more.
Zephyr passed him in the hall, not meeting his eyes, "Just be careful, wherever you go.." Zephyr then disappeared, the sound of a slamming door heard from down another hall.
Magnus froze, then switched direction. He slid inside a room and closed the door.
A few seconds later his phone began ringing.
He fumbled with it, feeling lightheaded. Finally he answered. "Screw up of the year speaking. What do you need devastated?"
"...Mag?" A quiet voice asked.
"Huh?" He tried to recognize the voice and failed. The room was greying out around the edges of his vision. "Sorry, but my head's a bit fuzzy at the moment."
A few moments later, the door opened and Callie entered, pouring energy into him.
"Sorry I made you mad.." Magnus poked a finger inside the vertical slice on his wrist.
Callie pulled his hand away, injected him with something and continued to heal him.
"Poison makes you happier than blood cleanup?" Magnus giggled slightly, his pupils large.
Callie rolled her eyes and dragged him to the medbay.
His eyes rolled up seconds after arrival.
Callie continued working on him for a while then sat down.
Ten minutes later, Magnus groaned.
"Just rest," Callie ordered softly.
"Jazz?" He cracked open an eye, wincing at her expression.
"He's alive but asleep."
Relief flickered through the dark eyes. "Should I be worried Zeph will gut me?"
"I haven't seen Zephyr in a while."
"That is never good." Magnus tried to push himself up.
"Like I said, rest."
"But.."
Callie gave him a stern look.
He wilted slightly, then changed the subject. "What happened with those kids? Did you save their Sensei?"
"Yeah. I saved their Sensei and the one that was burning out."
"They must be grateful. Find me the twins, will you? I'll rest, I swear."
Callie nodded and disappeared. The twins entered a few minutes later.
"Find Zeph. Drag their ass back here, restrained if necessary. They are probably being stupid again." Magnus lay back as the pair left, closing his eyes weakly.
Zephyr was inside a government building, slicing through anyone who came their way. Blood soaked their clothes and swords.
Takeshi gave an impressed whistle as Hayato rolled his eyes. "You done?"
"Go home."
"Nope. Been ordered to bring you back. Restrained if necessary. So let's just go, okay?" Takeshi frowned.
"I'm not going anywhere." Zephyr sliced another worker down.
Hayato scowled, stalking toward Zephyr. "Guess it's the hard way." He had a pair of handcuffs ready.
"Who ordered you anyway?" Zephyr finally looked up at them.
"Jack Frost."
"Tell him to fuck off. I'm an adult and partially in charge of the resistance. I can do what I want."
"Tell him yourself." Hayato grabbed one wrist and prepared to snap the cuff on.
Zephyr pulled away quickly. "He is not in charge of me."
Hayato growled, flames dancing in his eyes. "Just come back, dammit."
"Why?"
"Because Jazz will want to see your smiling face when he wakes. And you can kick Magnus' ass." The blond scowled deeper. "If he has one left after everyone else takes turns."
Zephyr sighed and sheathed his swords.
"Know what? You're right. Fuck him." Hayato extended a hand and flame enveloped an armed man sneaking toward them.
Zephyr raised an eyebrow before swaying slightly.
Takeshi slapped both of their heads. "Let's fucking go already."
Zephyr nodded slowly.
The twins each took an arm and muttered a teleportation spell.
Zephyr pulled away when they reached their destination.
Hayato raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
Zephyr began to walk away.
"Oi!" Takeshi shouted, before quieting at a look from his brother.
"Don't worry. Just getting a shower."
The pair nodded, then Hayato winced.
Takeshi helped him into their room and closed the door.
Zephyr took a shower and got dressed before laying down and staring at the ceiling.
There was a hesitant knock at the door.
"What?" Zephyr yelled through it.
"Um…" A soft voice answered. "Never mind."
The door slowly opened.
"Are you Zephyr?" Two people stood there nervously.
"Yeah, sorry. What's up?"
"We just wanted to say thanks for saving us." The older one answered as the other gave a dazzling smile.
"Not a problem."
The younger one crooked a finger. "Got any makeup I can borrow by any chance?"
Zephyr chuckled and went to grab some, "I don't use these ones anymore, you can have them."
"Really?!" Her voice squealed. "You're so nice! I'm Kizzy, by the way. That's Gai."
"Ah. Mag's friends."
"Yeah. Kiz just gave him a tongue lashing. Nice to see he's still an idiot." Gai answered drily.
"Why? What did he do now?"
"Your healer mentioned a knife."
Zephyr rolled their eyes, "Figures."
"We'll let you get back to what you were doing. Thanks again!" Kizzy waved before the pair continued on down the hall.
Zephyr watched them a moment before shutting the door.
A minute later, the alarms sounded and boots ran past their door.
Zephyr shook their head and headed out the door, following the guards to see what was happening.
There was a knot of bearded, dirty men wielding chains. "Return our merchandise!"
"We're not returning anything!" Zephyr growled.
"Your government lied to us! Now we take them back." A huge man glared at Zephyr. "By any means necessary, we will retrieve the ones here."
Zephyr pulled out their swords and rushed forward with their speed. They began slicing at the men viciously.
The men attacked en masse, the leader wrapping a chain around Zephyr's swords and pulling them away.
Zephyr growled and tried to use their speed to get the weapons back.
Another man matched their speed, then grabbed Zephyr in a chokehold and squeezed hard.
Zephyr tried to claw to get away. They then grabbed a knife from their pocket and stabbed it into the man.
The man grunted and released Zephyr only to kick them full on into the building's wall.
The leader called "Get inside and find them!" as the guards lay beaten on the ground. They ran through the open door.
Zephyr tried to get up, stumbling to the doorway. They ran in and tried to get more guards together as they took out the men one by one. It got down to just two enemies left, Zephyr moving in front of them.
One of them snarled "You're too late. We may die, but the merchandise is on its way out."
"You sure about that, fucker?" Hayato limped into view, Takeshi holding pressure on his brother's side with a grim look.
"Your companion stepped too close to an open flame. Want to be next?"
Takeshi raised his free hand warningly.
Zephyr looked at the man, going to grab him and cuff him.
He tried to punch Zephyr, his eyes full of hate.
Zephyr barely dodged, their speed slowing quickly.
"Stand back." Hayato released a blast of flame, then crumpled as Takeshi yelled his name.
The man immolated where he stood.
Zephyr started to move to Hayato but lost their balance and fell against the wall.
A guard appeared in front of them. "All enemies destroyed. What are your orders?"
"Clean up. Get Hayato to medbay. Check on the ones they were trying to take." Zephyr said slowly before trying to walk down the hall toward their room.
"You should be in medbay too." Takeshi remarked quietly.
"I'll be fine.." Zephyr answered before beginning to fall.
Takeshi rolled his eyes and helped get them and Hayato to medbay before disappearing.
When Zephyr woke, they pushed themself up and tried to head out of the room.
"Where do you think you're going?" Magnus stepped in his way.
"To my room." Zephyr answered quietly.
"From what I heard, you got hurt pretty seriously. You should rest."
"I can do that in my room, can't I?"
"Callie hasn't really looked you over yet. Been busy. So sit down and wait, will you?"
"Why do you care?"
Magnus stared at him in disbelief.
Zephyr tried to push past Magnus.
Magnus growled and grabbed Zephyr's arm. "Sit your stubborn ass down."
"You're not in charge of me, quit acting like it. Sending the twins after me, now this."
"I was worried about you, asshole!" Magnus' eyes flashed white. "Thought we were friends. Guess you were a liar." He released them and turned back to Jasper silently.
"Yeah, I thought so too. But you only care about him. You don't even want to live without him, not caring that there's others who care about you. So it's clear to me you don't really care like you say." Zephyr answered before heading to the door.
They were suddenly swung around and punched solidly in the face. Magnus snarled and kept raining blows down upon them until he swayed.
Zephyr didn't fight back, just let Magnus keep hitting him.
The cryokinetic collapsed to one knee. "No one cares.." Tears began streaking his cheeks.
Zephyr's face was beginning to swell, his nose and lip bleeding. He reached out to Magnus but stopped short. "I care. Jazz cares. But I get it, he's your love, your world. Without him you don't see a point. I don't expect you to care about me, even as a friend. But I do care."
"You blind fucking idiot.." Magnus' voice was low. "I could survive losing Jazz if I had you. But you don't even see it. I need someone right now to talk to, to hold me. The guilt is eating me alive.."
Zephyr stared quietly, ignoring the fact that his nose was dripping blood on his shirt. "You have nothing to feel guilty about."
"My mother almost killed him! She let him be…" His face went pale and he refused to finish. "I thought being thrown away was the extent of her cruelty, but I was wrong. Now Jazz is..and I'm alone. My universe is both of you, you insufferable idiot! I love both of you!" Magnus shakily stood and bolted from the room in sobs.
Zephyr used a burst of energy to speed to Magnus. Being so weak, they barely were still standing. They grabbed Magnus' arm. "Please.. don't go.." They closed their eyes. "I.. I didn't realize.. Never thought.."
"Not so smart now, are you?" Magnus chuckled softly before wrapping an arm around them. He led Zephyr back to the medbay, laying them down before giving a chaste kiss to their lips. He chuckled again, then left.
Zephyr fell asleep quickly.
Jasper woke a while later, looking around slowly. His face fell a bit when he realized Magnus wasn't there. He got up and went to sit beside Zephyr.
The door opened, Magnus dragging Takeshi in. "Callie, chain his ass down." His eyes fell on Jasper and he swallowed hard. "Nice to see you awake."
"Hey." Jasper said softly. "Sorry.."
"For what?" Magnus crossed his arms as he raised an eyebrow.
"Dying on you."
"Well, I did it to you first. So we're even."
Jasper looked up, "Are we okay? You're not mad at me?"
"For what?"
"Dying. Killing your father. Getting caught.."
"I was going to kill him. And the other stuff you couldn't prevent."
"I love you.."
"I love you too." He looked away as he said it, biting his lip.
"What's wrong?" Jasper asked quietly.
"Just waiting for the other shoe to drop." He sat down several feet away, hands in his lap.
"What do you mean?"
"My mother..the Queen, I mean. She was evil so by extension, I must be-"
"You aren't evil. And going by that logic, I must be evil too."
"Your parents didn't try to kill me. They didn't kill children's parents and throw them in prisons. Didn't kidnap free children to use as slaves. Mine did. I'm a blight. Shoulda stayed dead so you would have been safe. But Antonio has told me you've won. The prison's are being emptied as we speak. Soon you'll no longer be in danger. You'll all get to have peace."
"You aren't evil. You're a great person and I love you."
Magnus smiled sadly. "I know you do. And I love you and Zeph. But I'm not good to be around. I've done too much I can't make up for. So I'm going to find a quiet hidden place to live until my time comes. I'll take the memories and your love with me with a smile."
Jasper stared at him for a moment, tears filling his eyes, "Please don't leave me.."
"I'm sor-" Magnus's face went white and he grabbed his chest before falling face first off the chair.
Jasper quickly called Callie over.
The healer quickly raised Magnus' shirt and froze. Several massive dark bruises were over his heart and abdominal area. She gently pressed one which resulted in Magnus coughing blood violently onto the floor.
Callie worked on healing for a long time. Jasper watched with worry. Zephyr eventually woke, looking over and watching them silently.
"Lucien..I'm sorry. Couldn't protect you..Don't hate me." The aqua kinetic was delirious.
"I don't hate you. He wouldn't hate you either." Jasper said softly. He held Magnus gently.
"Got him killed..he burned so hot..I should have been the one to die, not him.." Tears leaked from his closed lids. "Don't want anyone else dying for me…"
"Shh, you're alright."
He finally slipped into complete unconsciousness.
Jasper held him close.
Zephyr finally stood up and moved to their side. "Jazz.."
Jasper looked at Zephyr. "Mag said he loves you. You love him too, don't you?"
Zephyr nodded slowly.
"I'm glad he has you."
"Jazz.. he loves you too. I'm not taking him from you."
Jasper just nodded slowly.
"I.. I've liked you for a long time, Jazz. But, I never thought you'd like me back. I never thought Mag would like me either.. which is why I guess I'm telling you."
Jasper looked up in surprise, "I.. I never thought anyone would like me."
"I liked you since we met, but I knew you always had a lot of issues to deal with and I figured you needed a friend more than a romance. I was just happy to be friends. Plus, I'm older.. didn't think you'd like me for that too."
"I liked you too.. it tore me up when you were taken."
"I'm sorry Jazz.."
"What now?" Jasper asked quietly.
"Let's get Magnus feeling better mentally and all of us better physically, then we can figure that out." Zephyr said softly.
Jasper nodded and looked back down at Magnus.
He unconsciously had grabbed both their hands tight, a small smile on his lips.