The two clones stayed by the stream until the sun started setting and the fireflies came out. True to his word, Damian stayed, waiting until Prometheus was ready to talk. Not that that time came that night. Pro wasn't ready to talk and… he didn't know when he would be. But his brother was patient.

The pair went back to their cabin where they ate leftover potatoes and drank water from the stream before going to sleep.

The next morning was awkward. Prometheus didn't say anything about last night, nor did Damian. But the boy kept giving him worried looks as they practiced powers after eating breakfast. About midday, the brothers ventured to the berry blushes to meet Lucy. She arrived ten minutes after them, hurrying through the woods.

"I don't have much time." The girl pulled a medium-sized, slightly burnt loaf of bread and two small sausage patties out of her apron. "I'm behind on my chores. We picked a bunch a field peas this mornin' and I havta shell 'em for supper. And there's mucking out the barn. And Bessy needs to be put to field. So much ta do."

Dami nodded, gratefully taking the food and putting it in their bag.

Pro frowned down at the frazzled girl, guilt churning his core. "Can we help?"

His brother gave him a curious look.

Lucy blinked up at him. "I'd love the help. But…." She bit her lip. "I don't want Mama and Daddy ta see you."

"We're really good at hiding." Dami offered. "They won't see us."

The girl looked unsure but after a long moment, she said. "Alright. Meet me in the pasture. Y'all can help me shell peas."

"Where's that?" Pro asked.

The girl pointed. "Follow the stream towards the farm. It bends, followin' the edge of our property 'til it runs into a pond. That's where we put Bessy to pasture. I'll lead her there after I muck out that barn."

The two clones nodded, understanding. They followed her instructions, sitting under the trees at the other side of the pond. An hour and a half later, they spotted Lucy in the distance, carrying a basket nearly as big as she was and being trailed by a familiar black and white cow.

Dami quickly stood, stretching up to five feet. "There she is." He hurried forward, meeting the girl and taking the basket from here, while Pro stayed hidden in the trees.

Hands free, Lucy took the cow by the bridle and led her to the water. Dami followed, coming back to sit with his brother. He placed down the basket which the taller ghost could now see was filled with green and red pea pods. After giving Bessy an affectionate pat on the nose, the ten year old joined the brothers.

She sat in front of the basket. "Let me show y'all how to shell these." The girl grabbed a pod, about the length of her middle finger. "Snap the end off. Pull the string here." She pulled at the fibrous, green filament coming off the pod. The pod came in half, revealing the light green and creamy tan peas inside. "Put the peas in here." She ran her thumb along the inside, pulling out the beans. "And you can just throw the shell on the ground for Bessy ta eat."

Each brother took a handful and started shelling. The three sat in a circle, talking while they worked.

"Black and white aren't actually colors." Dami started, motioning to his outfit and then the cow grazing near them.

"Yes, they are." The ten year old argued. "I can see them!"

"Okay, yeah. If we're talking about color as pigment, as every shade and hue you can see, then yeah, they're colors. But we're talking about color as the range of visible light that we can see, then-"

"Lucy!" A man's voice called out across the pasture. "Lucy?"

The two clones looked at each other, panicked.

"That's Daddy." The girl hissed, standing. "Quick! Hide." She started shooing them to the trees.

Dami and Pro stood, peering over Lucy's shoulder, to the barn at the top of the hill. A speck of brown and denim blue appeared from behind the building. Gasping, both turned invisible at the same time.

Shit. Prometheus cursed in his head as Lucy's eyes widened. They did that right in front of her and… and she saw. She was going to run away, tell on them. She was-

"Where'd you go?" She whispered, awed.

"I told you. We're good at hiding." Dami said quickly. "Just pretend we're not here." He tugged on Pro's arm, pulling him towards the tree.

The girl stared, eyes wide for a long few seconds.

"Lucy?" The approaching man called.

The child turned, whipping the surprised expression from her face. "Daddy? What were ya calling me for?"

Now ten feet away, the adult sighed, looking relieved. "I was lookin' for you." He stepped forward, leaning down. "What have you been up to, Luci-bug?" He smiled, giving her a bop on the nose.

The girl giggled, leaning away. "Daddy!" Just a hint of playful annoyance rang in her voice.

The man laughed once before he sobered, a worried look covering his face. "Really honey. What are you doing out here by yourself?"

Lucy shrugged, glancing back at the basket. "Shelling peas." For just a moment, her eyes fell on where the brothers were still hiding, invisible. Worry flickered there. Then, she turned back to her father. "And watching Bessy."

The adult raised a brow. "You carried the basket all the way out here?"

"I like sitting by the water and listenin' to the frogs." She shrugged again.

Worry lingered on her father's face for a long moment before he sighed. "Alright." He reached forward, ruffling his daughter's hair. "Be careful. I know you like playing in the stream but you're worryin' me and your Ma. No one in town's seen the monster," The word sent a stab through Pro's core. "since we did Monday morning. It could still be out there."

Lucy tensed ever so slightly, the motion almost imperceptible to the larger clone. "I'll be fine. 'Sides, h- it wouldn't hurt me."

Her father's brow furrowed, questioningly. "We don't know that for sure."

The girl crossed his arms and Pro felt his stomach drop. He wished he could see her face, that he could guess what she was thinking. Was she seconds away from arguing for, defending them? His insides churned with nerves. Would she slip up, say that she did know for sure? That the monster was right there, hiding in the bushes behind her?

Lucy looked down, her shoe scratching into the dirt. "Everyone shouldn't be so mean, just 'cause someone looks different."

The man sighed again, not responding to the statement. Instead, he reached out, touching her arm. "Just promise me you'll be careful. You'll come right back to the house if you see or hear anything."

The ten year old didn't answer, head still fixed down and arms angrily crossed.

"Lucille." Her father began to chastise.

The girl sighed, arms falling to her side. "Fine. I'll be careful. I'll run back to the house if I see anything strange."

"Good." The man sounded relieved. He gave a light smile, ruffling her hair again. "I've gotta get back to work. See ya at supper, little missy."

"See ya, Daddy." She reached up, giving him a one armed hug.

The man returned the gesture, patting her on the back. With that, Lucy's father turned around and started walking back towards the barn. Lucy turned back towards the tree, eyes searching the trees. Her expression shifted into something awed and puzzled. But she said nothing, walking back to the shade to sit beside the basket and picking up a new pea pod.

For a long moment, Prometheus remained frozen, watching the man walk away. His mind spun, going over what he'd just seen. The familiarity, the worry, the fatherly affection… all of it made him ache. This was a parent, worried about his child. But at the same time….

Monster, it. Those words had been about him. That worry that this unknown being would hurt his daughter… His stomach churned. Monster. He hated the ugly word. And yet, the images flashed in his head. That same man, with his rifle. The town's people with their rocks and their curses. They hurt him. They thought he was a monster. And…. 'what if they're not wrong?'

"He's gone." Lucy's quiet voice broke out of his thoughts. "You can come out now."

At his elbow, Dami nudged him. The taller clone met his brother's eyes, mistily visible through their shared invisibility. Pro gave a nod, slowly fading back into sight. The shorter ghost did the same.

Dami stepped out from beside the bush, Prometheus following. "Man." He whipped his brow, whisking away pale greenish sweat. "That was more tiring that I-"

Pro's eyes widened and Lucy flinched back, taken aback by the sudden size change.

"Thought." The now much shorter clone's high pitched voice rang out. "Shoot." He scowled down at his toddler-sized hands.

The girl blinked several times before pointing. "I knew it! You did change height!" Her eyes widened, an excited smile blooming on her face. "You're a pixie, ain't ya?!"

The smaller boy blinked, surprised. Then he laughed. "You got me. I'm a pixie." He shrugged, letting his body float off the ground. "I guess staying big for so long yesterday took more out of me than I thought." He blushed. "I uh… didn't want you to find out like this."

The girl didn't even register the statement, instead turning to stare at Pro. "And you're a giant! But a really small one."

The taller clone blinked, dumbfounded by this entire conversation. "I'm not a giant."

Lucy frowned, brow furrowing in thought. "No. You're right. That wouldn't make any sense. You're brothers." She motioned between the two. "You look so alike. So you're some kinda fairy too. But your magic makes you super strong. And Dami can change size and float. And you can both blend inta the woods. That's amazing!"

The girl's excited ramble ended, her eyes flickering between the two. Prometheus could almost see the questions whirling in her head.

Before she could answer, Dami floated beside her. He laughed. "You got us. Just two magical boys, livin' in the woods. Now." His voice lowered. "How about you quiet down a bit before your dad hears and comes back to investigate?"

Lucy snapped her mouth shut, shaking her head. "Yeah. Sorry. I don't wantcha ta get caught."

Pro let out a sigh of relief, stepping forward. The three sat down around the basket again.

The girl started shelling her peas again, eyes wide with excited curiosity. "So, what other magic can you do?"

The clones took turns explaining and demonstrating their various powers. Dami grew up to his full five foot, five. He spread his arms. "This is as tall as I can get. But I can't stay like this very long. I'm still young and not that strong yet." He sank back down to three feet. "About here is comfortable for me most of the time."

The girl nodded eagerly, looking to Pro expectantly.

"I can't change my size." He shook his head. "I can shoot light from my hands though." He demonstrated and the girl clapped like it was the most incredible thing she'd ever seen.

The two finished with the powers, not mentioning Dami's fire but Lucy had more questions.

"No, we can't turn into animals or talk to them." Dami rolled his eyes. This was at least the tenth power the girl had asked about. "Pro and me aren't really that powerful. Like I said, we're both really young and not that strong."

"Oh." Lucy frowned, some of her excitement wavering. She looked unsure, biting her lip. After a long moment… "Why are you here, really?"

Prometheus's own smile fell, dread balling in his gut. "What do you mean?"

"Why are you living in the woods by yourself, with no Mama or Daddy to take care of you? I mean… assuming fairies have mamas and daddies."

The two clones looked at each other subtly, a silent conversation passing between them. What could they safely say? Anything about ghosts was off the table. And the parent question….

Something flickered behind Dami's eyes, a decision made. The little guy offered a sad smile. "I think most people have parents, no matter what kind of people they are. But…" He sobered, shoulders falling. "The truth is, we got lost and separated from the rest of our family. We ended up here by accident and both got hurt." His eyes flickered to his brother.

For a moment, Lucy's gaze trailed over his stitches. Her eyes widened in a sad realization. "Is that how you got your-"

"No." The taller clone cut off the gentle question with a vigorous headshake. His green, inflamed skin burned, the stitches itching agonizingly. He…he wasn't going to talk about that, not to her and not to Dami. He quickly, desperately pulled up his pant leg. "We got cornered by some wolves and one bit me." He motioned to the nearly healed bite wound.

The girl's eyes fell on the bite. Her expression shifted, a hint of relief blooming until it deepened back into concern. She looked up again, to his neck, the bolts and stitches peeking out from his shirt. Her lips pursed, the question behind her eyes. She wanted to ask again, Prometheus was sure.

But Dami's hand landed in her shoulder. The boy shook his head.

Lucy's brow furrowed, turning to look at him. Then she sighed. "You got hurt too?"

"Yes." Damian answered, her questioning eyes searching him for injury. The boy rubbed the back of his neck. "We're not really sure what happened but my core was hurt. That's where my powers… err… magic comes from. So my magic was going crazy. I couldn't use most of my powers. I couldn't stay one size. I could barely talk the first day we were here." He bit his lip before holding out his hands when he noticed Lucy's worried expression. "I'm better now. But… we're still both trying to rest and heal 'til we're well enough to leave and try to find the rest of our family."

Lucy nodded, taking in their words. "So… that's why you stole food and clothes from us."

Pro nodded, blushing. "We managed to find an abandoned cabin to sleep in but we didn't have anything. Dami was sick but he needed food to feel better. So… So I…"

"You went to town for help." The girl continued for him, a gentle hand falling on his knee.

The taller clone blinked, startled. "How…. how did you know?"

She looked down, ashamed. "I was in the square on Sunday, playin' with the other kids. I heard you ask if anyone could help you, before…" She bit her lip. "Before everyone started yellin' and throwin' things."

There was a long, sad pause. Pro's core ached. So she had been there. He thought that she had but this confirmation… it hurt. His mind went back to those horrible few minutes. To the screaming and rocks and gunshots. He shivered.

"I'm sorry." Lucy's gentle, soft voice came from beside him. "I'm sorry everyone was so… so mean and horrible to you." Pro's eyes shifted, looking down at her. Her cheeks lit with guilt. "I'm sorry I called you a monster, when you were sneaking away."

"I…." Again, Prometheus found himself dumbfounded, but for another reason. "It's…It's okay."

"No, it's not." The girl shook his head. "I meant what I said to Daddy. You shouldn't be mean to someone just 'cause they look different or scary. The town should've… should've been helpin' you, not yellin' and throwin' rocks, even if they were scared."

The taller clone's mind spun. This girl… this girl was apologizing, on behalf of her entire town, meaning every single word. It was almost hard to wrap his brain around but…

Days ago, when he'd told his brother what happened. 'You didn't deserve to get hurt. You didn't deserve to get treated like that.' Dami… Dami had fully believed that too. Prometheus felt something in him unclench.

"I think…. People get scared of things they don't understand." Lucy continued. "It doesn't excuse what they did though."

The words drew Prometheus's attention. "And you're not? Scared, I mean?"

The girl shook her head vigorously. "No. I mean…" She blushed. "I was at first but once I talked to y'all, I wasn't scared. I know you're both really nice and fun. Dami's really funny and smart. And Pro, you're more quiet and thoughtful. But I know you're a good big brother who really loves his little brother."

"Yeah, he is." Dami agreed, a fond look on his face.

"You're both good friends. I'm happy I met you." Lucy continued. "So… I'm sorry again about everything that happened. I shouldn't have called you a monster, even if I was scared. I know you're not one."

You're not a monster. The words rang in his head, an echo of what Dami had said days before. His core loosened, softening. She meant it. Both of them mean it.

And it was true. Something in him, a small corner of his core, whispered that it wasn't, that he was still a monster, unforgivable, unlovable. How could he not be, after what he'd done at Vlad's? But…

The compassion in Lucy's eyes. The love in his brother's. Their belief in him. The caring hands on his knee, his arm. It was enough to chase the thought away.

Prometheus looked down at both smaller ghosts, eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank… thank you."

The girl and boy both leaned towards him, giving him a side hug. Prometheus returned the gesture, an arm around each smaller figure. He was happy, his brother at one side and their friend at his other.

The group broke apart after a long moment. They went back to shelling their peas, talking and laughing quietly with each other. Dami finally got back to explaining why black and white were not colors.

The girl shook her head, giggling. "That sounds crazy!"

"No! It's true, I swear." Dami insisted. "The light we can see is actually only a tiny portion of the light that exists. It's all about the wavelengths…."

Prometheus laughed.

Damian and Prometheus' friendship with Lucy grew as days passed, in hidden encounters when the girl was able to get away from her chores to play. The trio splashed in the creek. They skipped stones at the pond. They climbed trees and raced through the forest.

Using their invisibility, the two clones helped with chores. At the far end of the crop field, they helped dig up peanuts. They picked blackberries near the edge of the forest, apples in the more secluded parts of the orchard.

All the while, the trio told stories, both real and made up.

Lucy told the siblings all about Tobacco Road and the people who lived there. About the little church's pastor, the blacksmith, the cobbler. About the kind woman who ran the apothecary, the young couple who owned the general store. The girl told them about the other children she played with on Sundays and holidays, when her family went to town. Most excitedly, she talked about her parents and baby brother.

Damian talked about science, physics especially. So many facts and theories, incredible and nearly unbelievable…. Pro couldn't be sure what was true, what was misremembered, and what was just plain made up. The smaller clone also told stories. Fairy tales were common, since Lucy loved hearing them. But he also talked about novels and stories from something called 'tv shows and movies,' fictions he knew from Danny's memories.

And Prometheus also told stories. Made up ones, based on shapes in the clouds, an oddly shaped rock, birds singing in the forest and squirrels chasing each other. So many beautiful things here, feeding his awe and wonder and bleeding into his fantasies.

With Lucy's encouragement, some of those stories led into playing pretend. They were knights slaying dragons, explorers seeking treasure, pirates on the high sea. It was freeing and fun, letting his imagination run wild. Prometheus laughed, sometimes until he almost cried.

"My Lady Knight!" The taller clone cried, spotting Lucy as she dashed through the trees, 'sword' (a stick) in hand. "You've found me!" He squirmed, pulling against the ropes he was 'tied' to the tree with.

"My apprentice?" She gasped, faux surprised and putting on a sophisticated accent. "You're alive? We'd all fear you'd perished. The Count claimed he executed you."

"A lie, to distract you." His eyes flickered around, searching. "Now hurry before Tyrantous returns!"

The girl ran forward, quickly 'untying' him. With Pro freed, the pair fled, only making it ten feet before-

"Not so fast." Dami dropped out of the trees, grinning sinisterly.

"Count Tyrantous." Lucy glared, hefting her 'sword' with both hands in front of her.

The boy waggled a finger. "You fell right for my trap. I thought you were wiser than that, Lady Vadania."

"It doesn't matter." Prometheus squared his shoulders and raised his fists. "You're outnumbered."

Dami's head turned jerkily, gaze fixing on Pro. "Am I?" Smoothly, he lifted a hand, flicking his wrist.

The taller clone threw himself backwards, as if pushed by invisible hands. His back hit a tree and he fell, pretending to pass out.

In front of him, Dami turned his hand, spreading his fingers. His digits twitched, threatening to flicker before…. He lowered his hand. "I'm feeling generous, Lady. A sword fight, to even the odds, would only be fair." He whispered a word, too low for Pro to hear, and waved his hand, as if to summon a sword. His 'sword' (stick) appeared in the air, (actually thrown by Prometheus) and he caught it.

Dami held the stick in front of him. He smirked. "Engarde!"

The boy surged forward, his stick hitting Lucy's. He swung to the left and she countered.

It was a duel for the ages. The 'swords' clashed, dull wood impacting wood. The pair dodged and side-stepped. They swung, opponent rising to counter the blow. Dami drove forward, almost pinning Lucy against two trees.

"Do you yield?" The boy growled sinisterly.

"Never!" The girl switched hands, pushing back.

Dami shuffled backwards. More blows exchanged. More dodging and weaving. More blocking. Fancy footwork. Switching hands. Grunt of effort. Shouts. Quips and banter.

The boy glanced behind him, nervous. Lucy had him on the run. She backed him up against a tree. The girl swung down, hard and Dami raised to block-

Thunk! With a crack, the boy's stick broke. The momentum sent the smaller piece flying out of his hand.

Dami swallowed, looking nervous. "My Lady." He gave a disarming grin.

Lucy smirked. "Do you yield?"

For a moment, worry flickered across his face. Then… "Never." He hissed, pushing his hand out.

The girl gasped, thrown backward by his 'magic.'

Dami stretched to his full height, rising in the air. "I have been patient, Lady Knight!" He shouted. "But that patience is now run thin. You will rue the day you crossed Count Tyrantous. Tremble at my power! Behold!" He spread his arms, quickly flying to fifteen feet above the girl. "The Terrible Lizard!"

The boy hunched forward, hand curled under him. "Raw!" He let out a roar.

Now sitting against a tree, Prometheus laughed. "A dinosaur! Really?!"

"You're supposed to be unconscious." Dami hissed lowly, before turning his gaze to the giggling Lucy. "You mock my power!?" He growled, gravelly and deep.

Still laughing, the girl turned and ran. "You're a terrible lizard."

"Yes! Flee my regal magnificence, fool!." The boy flew forward, waving his arms and legs as if swimming, in big exaggerated movements. "You can run but you can't hide."

Prometheus busted a gut, watching Lucy run and Dami chase her.

The girl dodged and weaved many times, eventually getting cornered in the hollow of a tree.

Dami chuckled (quite convincing) evilly. "I said you can't hide." The boy shrugged forward, before suddenly stopping. He flinched back, as if colliding with an invisible barrier. The clone shook his head, trying again. The same result. He lowered his head, arms dangling below him. He flailed and…

"What are you doing?" His brother giggled.

"Can't… reach." The boy bit out, still making his voice deep and rumbly. "Can't… reach…. 'Cause…I have… big head… and little arms." He waved his arms. "I'm not sure how well this plan was thought out." He mumbled.

Prometheus just laughed at the antics, rising to stand.

Lucy gave him a puzzled look. She stepped forward, silently. The girl shoved her stick up. She grinned up, smugly. "I just stabbed you in the throat."

The boy's eyes widened. He gasped, a hand going to his neck. Horror grew on his face as his other arm twitched and spasmed, as if mimicking the bleeding wound. He gurgled, sinking in the air, before falling bonelessly onto the ground. With a final gasp, Dami turned his head, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

The girl stalked forward, poking him with her toe. "Ya think he's dead?"

Pro walked over, laughing. "No fair. He was supposed to turn into a smaller dinosaur next. I'd wrestle him to the ground and stab him in the back."

The smaller clone perked up, pushing his upper body up with his elbows. "Stab me in the back?" A hand flopped onto his core, scandalized. "My own brother!"

"He's still alive!" The taller clone gasped, lunging forward. He fell to his knees, grappling his brother. "Lady Knight! Hurry!"

Dami shrank back down to his normal three feet, breaking the hold. He shuffled away, crab walking with his back to the ground. "Betrayal!" He cried. "My own brother!"

"I could no longer stand your wickedness!" Pro crawled forward, flailing for a leg. He grabbed the appendage and his brother squirmed.

Standing above them, Lucy laughed. Dami turned his leg intangible, escaping the gripe. Another lunge and… the brothers wrestled, grunting and laughing. They rolled around, kicking up leaves and dirt in their roughhousing.

Prometheus laided panting on his back, Dami in a headlock on top of him. "Lady Vadania! Quick!" He called. "The Holly stake!"

"Holly Stake?!" The smaller clone shouted. "I am not a vampire!"

"You're a count!" Lucy ran forward. "Of course you're a vampire!"

With a grunt, Dami tried to wave his hands but unable to, held in place by Prometheus.

"Now." The girl knelt, shiny green leaves with red berries in hand. "Back to the grave, unholy fiend!" She placed them on his chest.

The smaller ghost hissed, baring his teeth, before he started coughing. "Oh no! My weakness! Pointy leaves!" After a long moment, he stopped. His head flopped down, eyes rolled back and tongue out.

Pro loosened his hold, looking down at his sibling. The boy didn't move, didn't blink for a worrying pause. The larger clone looked to Lucy, brows furrowed in puzzlement.

"Can I actually be dead now?" Dami's voice cut in.

The two other ghosts looked down at him again, laughing. "Yes." Lucy conceded, holding her arms up. "You're defeated!"

The smaller clone sat up, extracting himself from Pro's hold. He waved his hand with a flourish. "Congratulations, valiant Lady Vadania and her loyal apprentice…. What was your name?" He looked to the larger clone.

Pro furrowed his brow, thinking. "...Frank."

"Okay?" Dami shook his head. "Her loyal apprentice… Frank. You've defeated the vampiric, dinosaurian, tyrannical Count Tyrantous. The kingdom is free, purified of his wickedness. Yada Yada." He waved a hand. "Can I be the hero next time?"

Pro laughed, giving a shrug. "Sure. You were great though."

"Yes!" Lucy clapped. "You were such a good bad guy." She almost shivered. "Your evil laugh was so scary!"

The smaller clone chuckled, blushing. "Absolutely villainous, huh?"

Lucy nodded enthusiastically. "You sounded so evil! I got goosebumps."

"That 'bad'?" Dami raised a brow, smiling despite the odd look in his eye.

Again, the girl nodded, complimenting his acting.

The brothers shared a look. The discomfort, the uncertainty behind Dami's eyes…. Pro understood. The smaller clone played the villain well, did he? But what could they expect, having been raised by an actual super villain?

"Behold, the Terrible Lizard!" In front of them, Lucy spread her arms, giving an impression of Dami's dinosaur Count.

Pro snorted. At least, fictional villains were more fun than real ones. And if they could use what they'd learned to make someone laugh, then maybe, all they'd suffered…

Beside him, Dami's shoulders untensed. "That's Terrible Lizard King to you!" He pointed, grinning.

Maybe something good came out of it.