He wishes that it was just a dull ache that he could deal with; in fact that's what it's always been and he's always been good at masking it. Though as he tries to stand the pain shoots up his leg making his hip burn and it takes every ounce of strength not to fall back let alone cry out. "Damn it." Gilbert moans forcing one leg forward as his hand grips the other in an attempt to lessen the pain. When he finds he can't move his right leg he drags it behind him, he's tried to limp along but alone with his son he doesn't care who sees.

Once he reaches the chair he sits quickly, his leg throbbing as he pants. Allistor had told him countless times to stay in bed but the Wolf refuses to see himself as an invalid. No even if it kills him he'll do laps around the room. So he stands again and returns to the bed, collapsing into it once he's reached it. "Fuck..." He gasps out as his leg tingles as it hangs off the bed.

As he musters up the strength to go one more round the door opens. "If you keep this up you might actually lose it."

Turning towards his visitor Gilbert sighs. "Says the man that can now walk," he says sitting up as Arthur walks in followed by a small child no more than five years old. "It's awesome don't get me wrong but," He stops for a moment.

"But if you don't stop this it won't get better." Arthur answers, trying not to wound the wolf's already delicate pride. "It's why I'm here so lay back."

"Easy for you to say."

"Try." Arthur answers in a soft tone. "It's getting better though it will take a bit of time..." As he rolls up the other's pant leg he knows Gilbert can tell he's lying. "So did you tell him how this happened?"

This gets a chuckle. "Oh yeah I told him how I was nearly crushed to death but not before being whipped like a bitch." He looks down at the child watching. "I mean..."

"He knows not to say those words." Arthur answers, smiling down at his son. "Lei, go play with your cousin please." Once the black haired child is out of ear shot the Omega says, "You're lucky though. I know that the other four weren't so lucky."

He doesn't want to shutter but he can still hear the muffled screams of those who were in front of him. "Yeah..." Gilbert won't admit it but he can still smell the pools of blood in his dreams and every time he closes his eyes he sees their faces looking back at him no matter how tightly he holds his lover. War is a hell he's use to but this even scares him. "Art, do you believe in ghosts?"

The Fox doesn't look up as he answers. "I do." When Gilbert doesn't say anything else Arthur looks up. "Are you seeing things?"

"Nightmares." Gilbert answers, looking away.

Arthur goes back to his spell feeling that the Alpha wants to drop the subject. "I know of a few teas that could help though they might be a bit hard to get here." Out of the corner of his eye he sees Gil shake his head. "Alright." With that they sit in mostly silence as the two boys play quietly in the corner.

Soon the sharp tingles turn to a dull ache though it won't be long until it returns. "Can I ask you something?"

"I suppose," Arthur answers sliding his pants leg down again.

"You can't tell anyone though." Gilbert's thought long and hard about what he wants to say even if it might not get the answer he hopes. "If it doesn't get better by the time the baby is born...get rid of it."

The wolf expects the Fox to yell or argue but instead the man sits down next to him. "I can't heal it once it's gone."

"It's not getting better and we both know this. Fuck everyone knows it." His gaze hardens. "I'm giving you enough time for plan B and if you two won't do it I'll get your mate to do it."

With a sigh Arthur shakes his head. "Fine but that still gives us a few more months." He stands up to toss a log on the dying fire in the fireplace.

Turning on his side Gilbert watches for a moment. "I'm surprised you're not trying to change my mind."

As the fire consumes the log Arthur answers. "I lived with that pain for years. I won't wish that on anyone, hell not even the bastards keeping us here." He wipes his hands on his pants. "You can live with one leg, it's not easy but you can."

"Yeah..." Gilbert starts watching the flames start to dance.

Meanwhile below them a handful of small explosions rock the walls of the main cavern. "Alright." A Jackal says as he spits onto the dirt floor. "Who's gonna be the brave souls this time?" His grin is haunting, his eyes scanning the room. "Come 'ere fat boy."

Instinctively Alfred takes a step back while Allistor steps forward. "Naw I'll fucking go."

With another spit the potbellied Alpha chuckles at the crowd. "Fine yah god damn Ginger. If yah die at least I know you won't steal anymore souls." He points towards the crumbling rock. "I need one or no make it three more sorry sons of bitches ta clear this shit."

After a moment none step forward so the Jackal shrugs. "Fine Ginger, get your ass in there and do it yourself." His voice lowers slightly as he walks back towards his post. "Course if your fat ass mate did love you he'd help you too."

Clenching his jaw Alfred turns towards the hole. "No, stay put."

"Abel." Alfred warns as the Neko takes his wrist.

"No, I'll go with him."

Allistor rolls his eyes turning back to both of them. "You're both stayin' here." Without letting either answer he enters the rocky entrance. He knows the dangers so while it could do cave in on him like it has on others in the past he'd rather it be him than anyone else.

He works for over an hour to move most of rocks out but just as he reaches for a wooden beam, a few rocks above him give way. "Fuck!" It's all he's able to yell as a rock hits him above his eye sending him flying back onto his back.

As he blacks out his life flashes before his eyes; every mistake, every joy is slowed down. "Wake up." He hears as his eyes slowly open and adjusts to the dim light. "Wake up."

What he sees stuns him. Both men are trying to hold the ceiling up as most behind them look on in horror. "Allistor, you have to move." Alfred starts, his whole body shaking as the rocks above him threaten to crush all three of them. "Please Dude."

The plea is too much for one of the Alphas. "Fuck it Pork Chop." Jason takes Alfred's place in a split second. "Get his sorry ass out of there."

Alfred doesn't have to be told twice so even though he's not sure how badly his mate is hurt he picks him up and races out. Once the two are out the other two jumps back letting the cave fill with rock again. It's enough to anger the Jackal half breed who spins around on his heels towards the men in charge. "These are fucking suicide missions and you know it."

Jason continues as Alfred sits his mate down on a large rock. "You with me?" Gently he touches a cut above the Alpha's eye.

For a moment Allistor goes to slap his hand away. "Yeah I'm fine..." He mutters looking down. "Yah didn't hurt yourself playing hero did yah?"

"Don't spin this around on me." Alfred kneels down pressing a piece of cloth to his mate's head. "You're the one that just got sucker punched by a boulder." When Allistor doesn't answer Alfred takes his hand and lays it on his stomach. "She's upset that you were being stupid but other than that she's exactly how she was this morning."

Even though it hurts to laugh the Fox manages a chuckle. "Good..." It's only now that he notices the shouting. "What are they pissed off about?"

"They're pissed off that you could have been killed."

Slowly Allistor stands up, leaning on his family for support. "Yeah they'd lose a healer."

Turning to walk upstairs Alfred shakes his head. "Dude we know it's more than that...so much more."

A/N: Hopefully with any luck I'll be feeling better by February so sorry if these are a few days or a week apart.