Author's note ~ Hope you enjoy.
Moving slowly and with no sudden moves, as he might with a wounded animal, Adrian lifted a hand and gently rested it on the back of the boy's head.
"I know, kid. It's all right. I've got you. I've got you now."
Newt's chest heaved rapidly as his breath hitched in and out with the sobs he couldn't quite stifle, tears running down his face in an endless waterfall. His hands, still fisted in the man's shirt, trembled against the wide firm chest. Other than the hand on his head, Adrian didn't make any motion to touch the boy; not to pull him in closer or to push him away in disgust. Through the thick fog of anger and fear and shame that clouded his mind he could dully feel the large warm palm gently cradling his head. Adrian's thick thumb slowly and repetitively stroked his scalp in a wordless gesture of comfort, the feather light touch soothing in a way the boy couldn't voice. Time meant nothing; as the worst of the pressure in his chest began to ease, Newt realized he didn't know how long they'd been standing there in their odd embrace. Still, Adrian stayed still and silent until Newt's choking sobs had abated and his breathing slowed to a more natural pace.
"I know, kid, I understand. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. You don't have to say anything at all, if you don't want to. I understand."
Adrian's voice was very calm, very gentle, and pitched just above a whisper. He still didn't move, sensing that Newt wasn't ready to look at him yet.
"You've been really brave, buddy, really strong. And I know you're hurting, inside and out you're hurting worse than anyone could know. I want to help you."
Newt tensed a little at the words but didn't move away, listening intently. Adrian's thumb still stroked his head, soothing, soothing.
"I want to help you. But, for me to help you, you have to help me a little. I need to see where you hurt, so I can treat you and ease the pain. I'm not going to force you; I'll never force you. It needs to be your decision. Can you be brave for me a little longer? Be strong, a little longer?"
Adrian had fallen into a tone and cadence more suited to a small child than a budding adolescent, and while he recognized it, he couldn't change it. From the moment he'd broken down, Newt seemed so small, so fragile, so...young to the man. Shifting slowly and intentionally telegraphing his moves, he slid his hand from the back of the boy's head to his uninjured cheek, easing Newt's face upward until they were looking each other right in the eye.
"Do you trust me, Newt?"
The boy's voice was hoarse from crying, the words a bare breath of air.
"...Yes..."
"Can you be brave for me?"
"...y-yes..."
"Good boy." Adrian said easily, without a hint of condescension. "Good lad. I knew you could be. Now, I'm going to make you a solemn oath. Here and now, me to you. Okay?"
Newt nodded a little, his eyes huge and very young at the thought of a shared promise. Adrian carefully lifted his hands to where Newt's fingers still tightly gripped his shirt, slowly easing the fingers out of the cloth and holding both the boys hands gently in his own. His eyes were bottomless pools of compassion and empathy, masking a burning spark of rage that was ruthlessly restrained for a later time.
"I've got you, now. I'm going to take care of you, now. And I swear, on everything I am, I will never let anyone do this to you again. No one will ever touch you, force you, lay hands on you against your will. As of right now; you're safe, kid. I promise. If they want you, they'll have to go through me first."
Newt's hands shook once, violently, in Adrian's light hold. Disbelief warred with the tiniest ember of hope in his eyes as he desperately wished to believe. He was still shaky enough that, in an unsteady thin voice, he said that words that he would no doubt be terribly embarrassed about later on.
"D'you mean it? Promise?"
Adrian squeezed those shaking hands reassuringly.
"On my life. I promise."
He eased Newt back a little, finally straightening from the door he'd been blocking.
"Now, let's get you cleaned up a bit, fix you up. Okay?"
Docile as a lamb led to slaughter, Newt let Adrian guide him back towards the exam table. He didn't protest or resist as the man turned him around and studied the raw scrapes and gouges in his back, flinching only a little as Adrian's fingers touched his skin, lightly exploring the worst of the wounds. Not wanting to startle the boy, Adrian made sure to move slowly and explain what he was doing, and why. Looking at the angry, vicious bite mark on the boy's shoulder filled him with horror and a hard frigid rage, and he started speaking only when he had to, trying not to allow his words to betray his own harsh, toxic feelings.
He cleaned the torn skin of the bite thoroughly with antiseptic, worried the whole time about the possibility of infection. He arranged the skin back to the proper position and used thin strips of medical tape to secure everything in place before applying an herbal antibacterial solution and a sturdy bandage. Moving on to the next injury, he used a pair of tweezers to efficiently remove all of the fine splinters and foreign matter that had lodged in the pale, abraded skin of his shoulders and back. Next came a disinfecting solution of alcohol on a cloth, which stung like mad and caused Newt to hold his breath, trying to make up for his earlier outburst with stoic endurance. Finally came a cool, tingling smear of healing ointment that eased the burn and almost completely leached the pain away. Turning the boy around, Adrian completed the same ablutions on his hands, wrists and face that he had on his back. Having finished treating everything above the waist, Adrian knew that the worst was still to come.
"We've taken care of everything topside," Adrian said gently, easing in as best he could. "Now we need to take a look at the rest. Okay?"
Newt nodded, shivering like a leaf in the breeze, and reached for his belt hesitantly. He undid the buckle but his hand froze before he could get the pants open. He tried to force himself to go through the familiar motions, but he felt like he'd been petrified, turned to stone. He gasped and jerked a little when Adrian lightly laid a hand over his immobile fingers.
"Take your time, catch your breath." Adrian encouraged, his hand reassuringly warm and still on the boy's cold, clammy appendage. Newt gulped in a couple of breaths, trying to calm himself. He spoke his first words since Adrian had started treating him.
"I don't know if I can..."
"Newt." The man said simply, his tone even and bolstering. "You're safe here. You're safe with me. You're doing really well with this. Take whatever time you need; then, when you're ready, we'll start on the next part. I've got you. Okay?"
Looking into Adrian's face, seeing the concern and sincerity plainly written there, he hitched in another steadying breath. A feeling of absolute trust bubbled up into his chest.
"Okay...okay. I'm ready."
Moving quickly, before fear could reassert its grip, Newt pulled his pants open and dropped them to the ground, toeing off his shoes and standing in the office naked from the waist down. He wrapped his arms around himself, feeling terribly vulnerable and exposed.
Adrian kept his gaze and his voice level, knowing how difficult this was for the boy.
"I need you to lay your chest on the table, feet on the floor and legs spread, so that I can take a look. Can you do that for me?"
Not trusting himself to speak, Newt nodded weakly, turning and arranging himself on the table with his backside presented to the room. Squeezing his eyes shut tightly, he focused on breathing steadily, fighting the growing urge to hyperventilate. He sensed Adrian move up behind him, and bit back a moan of mortification and fear.
"Steady, kid. Try to stay calm. I'm going to have to lay my hands on you now, Newt, so that I can see what the damage is. Easy, now. I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe here."
All but crooning the words, Adrian gingerly placed his hands on the bruised skin of Newt's buttocks, gently spreading the cheeks and looking at his most private place for a moment before removing his hands and stepping away, rattling around in drawers and gathering supplies.
"You have some tearing, and are still freely bleeding. I'm going to numb you with a topical, then I'll clean things up back here. I'm going to need to put in a couple of stitches." Adrian said, as matter-of-factually as he could.
"Is it going to hurt?" Newt asked, a little tremulously.
"You'll feel me apply the numbing agent, which may feel a bit weird. After that, you shouldn't feel anything at all. If it hurts, let me know, and I'll numb it more so that it doesn't. Okay?"
"Okay." Newt breathed, more than a little relieved. "Wh-where'd you get the numbing stuff? In the medical supplies?"
Encouraged by the return of the familiar curiosity, Adrian answered as he worked, hoping the conversation might keep the boy's mind occupied and off what was currently happening.
"Actually, it's from a very specific type of mushroom. It's very effective, and I was lucky enough to find it growing here in the glade."
"A mushroom? You're shuckin' pulling my leg."
Adrian moved back to the boy, once again parting his cheeks and gently applying the numbing compound, talking all the while.
"Not a word of a lie. Fungi make amazing medicinal remedies, if you know which ones to use."
"We had a shank try eating the mushrooms from the forest; he damn near puked up a lung! I thought we'd have to bury him in the graveyard, it was that bad. Mushrooms are dangerous!"
Smiling a little, Adrian shook his head even though Newt couldn't see him, glad the boy was distracted as he started flushing the torn and battered flesh.
"As an old famous quote says, 'All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once.'"
Newt let out a weak chuckle; weak, but still there. Adrian lifted his threaded needle, quickly putting two tiny, neat stitches into the torn external sphincter muscle.
"I think I'll pass, thanks. Death by mushroom, especially with everything else we've had to face in this bloody place, is just about the stupidest shuckin' think I can think of!"
"To each their own." Adrian replied cheerfully, grateful the worst was behind them now. "But in this case, it did the job just fine and dandy. Just need a smear of ointment, and you're done."
"Really?" A little shocked at the announcement, Newt wiggled his hips a little experimentally, letting out a happy 'hmm'.
"It doesn't hurt! I don't feel anything! Did you already stitch me?"
"Yeah boy, I did." Adrian replied brightly, adding the cream to the raw flesh before moving away. "And that's all taken care of. You can get your undies back on, kid, the hard part's done. I'll clean your knees up, then you're free to go."
Newt stood up from the table hastily, head spinning a little at the abrupt change in orientation. Snatching his boxers off the ground, he hurriedly yanked them up his legs, feeling the relief flow through him once his delicates were safely covered. Once Adrian had quickly treated the relatively minor scrapes on his knees, he yanked his pants up over his hips and rapidly buckling the belt, thrust his feet into his runners, and breathed a deep, easy breath. Fully clothed, injuries tended and soothed, Newt felt mostly human again.
Adrian had considerately turned away while Newt was speed dressing, tidying up his supplies and setting a copper pot of water to boil over a fire in a high stone ring. Newt waited while the man worked, felling lost for words after the draining events of the morning. Was it even still morning? Before he could come up with something smart to say, someone rapped briskly on the office door.
"Hey? You still in there? What's the word?"
"Yeah, yeah, one minute Alby." Adrian called back, quirking a questioning eyebrow at Newt. Newt shook his head rapidly, his pale, panicked face clearly showed his desperate desire to keep current events a secret from the leader. Adrian held out both hands in a conciliatory motion, signalling the boy to calm himself.
"I got it. Trust me." Adrian whispered before moving to unbar the door and let Alby in.
"You're in luck." Adrian told the leader placidly. "We just finished up."
"Yeah?" Ably stated, eyeing Newt with a little concern and a fair bit of suspicion. "What's the diagnosis, Doc? We givin' him a last meal and kissing his miserable butt goodbye?"
"Hardly." Adrian snorted, taking charge of the conversation before Newt could get riled enough to step in. "He'll be good as new before long. Some R&R, light duty for a while, then he'll be off to the races."
"What the shuck happened to him?" Alby demanded, narrowing his eyes at his old friend but clearly directing the question to the man, obviously unwilling to take Newt's word for it. The blonde boy held his breath, his guts churning at the thought of how Adrian would answer.
"Well, I think we may need to find a way to build some kind of protective bubble for him." Adrian answered, a slightly forced teasing hint in his voice. "It's not everyday that someone can manage to trip over their own feet not once, but twice in less than two days."
Alby turned back to the man, his face a study of confusion.
"What?"
"Our boy here has a knack for the dramatic." Adrian answered, flicking his gaze to Newt, warning him with his eyes to play along. "He went a-wandering in the bush the other night, in the dark, and in the true manner of his delicate graceful self, ended up putting his foot through a rotten log and fell ass over eyeballs. Scratched the hell out of his back and earned himself one righteously bruised tailbone. Then, last night, he slinks off to have a nice little pee, doesn't watch where he's going, and ends up face first in a sapling. Botched his hands, his knees, battered his ugly mug. He's all patched up, but with that damaged tailbone he won't be running for at least two weeks, maybe three."
Alby nodded mutely, visibly relaxing a little and accepting Adrian's words at face value. Newt internally sighed in sheer gratitude; the man's plausible and to the point words had convinced Alby in a way that Newt could never have hoped to.
"So, what should I do with him in the meantime? If he can't run, I need to fine something-"
"I'll take him." Adrian asserted, casual confidence in his voice. "I could use an extra body for training Jeff, running drills and scenarios with him. He can help with my book, as well, and I'll see what else I can teach him."
"That works." Alby agreed, thoughtfully.
"And he can bunk at my place until he's healed." Adrian added over his shoulder, almost as an afterthought. Both boys stared at him, questioning. Adrian merely shrugged carelessly, pouring the now boiling water into a clean jar half full of herbs and flowers. "I've got an extra sleeping space at my place; if he's there, the rest of you guys don't have to listen to him whine."
"I know the boys built you your own place out in the woods; still don't know why you couldn't just bunk with the rest of us, but whatever. Haven't had the chance to see it yet, though. You sure you've got enough room for him?"
"You're welcome to take a look now, if you like." Adrian said evenly, capping the jar and wrapping it in a small piece of cloth. "I'm gonna dump him there for the day, let him get some rest. He can get back to work tomorrow."
"Sounds good." Alby grunted, relieved that things appeared to be well taken care of. "I'll feel better when I can see where the shank'll be. And I can see he'll be in good hands."
Newt watched the exchange as if it were a tennis match, mildly miffed that they were talking about him like he wasn't even there, making decisions for him as if he were a little kid. All things considered, he opted to keep his mouth shut and just let Adrian handle Alby, not wanting to jeopardize Adrian's carefully constructed story and give Alby any reason to doubt the events leading up to his injuries. And, if he were honest, he was pretty well chuffed to be able to hang out and sleep in the man's comfortable – and safe – home.
"Well." Adrian announced, stuffing the cloth wrapped jar into a rough bag and dusting his hands off emphatically, slinging the strap over his shoulder. "Let's get going boys; some of us still have work to do today."
The trio made their way out of the med hut and started towards Adrian's small house. Less than a third of the short way there, Newt was dragging behind, limping and visibly wincing as the tried to keep up. The man stopped until the boy caught up, stepping right up close to him and looping an arm gently around his waist. Newt started at the touch, looking up at Adrian sharply.
"You're probably feeling aches and pains you didn't before, right?" The man said quietly, cautious to pitch the words low enough that Alby couldn't hear them. "Now that the biggest pain has been treated, all the others that you couldn't even feel before are making themselves known, loud and clear. Yeah?"
"Yeah." Muttered Newt. Now that the raging, fiery pain in his backside had been all but erased, he could feel the rest of his body protesting; the muscles in his arse, thighs, calves complained worse than after a long day in the maze. His knees also felt weak, creaking painfully at each step.
"Almost there." Adrian urged and, avoiding the boy's bruises and wounds as best he could, took most of Newt's weight. Unable to answer, the boy hesitantly looped his arm across Adrian's back, holding on for support. Syncing their steps, they made it back to the house together without further incident.
Alby was already standing in front of the small building when they walked up behind him, clearly admiring the sturdy structure. Hearing them, he let out a low whistle.
"Pretty impressive, greenie. Wouldn't mind a few more like it in the glade."
"I'll talk to the builders." Adrian replied, releasing Newt and going up to the door. "I showed them all the techniques necessary; putting them into practice on other buildings would be good for them."
He reached above the roughly hewn door frame and pulled down a small slender stick about six inches long, with another short stick secured perpendicular to main shaft near one end and twine wrapped tightly around the other. He inserted the odd looking thing T first into a slot on the door near the handle and turned, producing a distinct chhhk sound. He removed the stick and pushed the door open, waving the leader inside.
"Shuck me." Alby said, a touch of wonder in his voice. "You even built a lock? An actual working lock? From nothing?"
Adrian wiggled his eyebrows, again gesturing for Alby to step inside. Once he had, Adrian returned to Newt and helped the boy inside.
It took Alby some time to take in the various features of the man's living space, eyeing the bed with clear envy, running a hand over the down stuffed pillows, examining the sink and shelves and new chairs and table with a covetous expression on his face. He finally plopped himself down on the couch, groaning at the soft comfort of the unexpected luxury.
"Well?" Adrian asked expectantly, waiting beside the chair he'd deposited Newt in. "Is this an acceptable place for Newt to stay while he heals?"
"Forget Newt, I want to live here. Want a room mate?"
Adrian laughed, shaking his head and not bothering to answer. When Alby managed to pry himself away from the couch he coughed a couple of times into his hand, a tad embarrassed at his slightly childish behavior. He walked over to the man and held out a hand, giving the one offered in return a firm, brisk shake.
"Thank you for taking care of my friend."
Adrian nodded.
"It's no trouble, and I'd say anytime...but let's hope this doesn't become a habit."
Alby nodded himself, turning to his still silent friend. Newt's skin was quite pale, and sweat shone on his upper lip. He was obviously still in pain. Alby felt a small surge of guilt at how he'd berated his second in command earlier that morning, and was ashamed of his harsh, uncaring words.
"I'm glad you're gonna be okay, man. Rest, get better. I may be the leader, but you know I'm not worth klunk without you."
Newt smiled wanly at the darker boy, the tiny kernel of anger from their argument melting away completely.
"No worries, mate. With Addy patching me up, I'll be right as rain and back to keepin' you in line in no time."
"Good that." Alby said, turning and heading back to the glade with a lazy backward wave, leaving the man and the boy on their own.
Adrian took a couple of jars out of the bag he still carried and set them on the table in front of the boy. The slightly cooled one he'd concocted just before they headed out, another of golden colored liquid, and a small bottle of some greasy looking lotion stood in a neat line when Adrian cast a curious sideways look at Newt.
"Addy?"
Newt flushed a little.
"It's just a bloody nickname. I could go back to Mary, if you like that one better."
"Addy's fine." Adrian sighed, rolling his eyes. He pointed a blunt tipped finger at the jars on the table, changing the subject abruptly.
"First jar, antibiotic and mild laxative. You won't have the squirts, but you won't be particularly solid either. It's for the best." Adrian said firmly, talking over Newt's instinctive protests, rolling right along. "With the tearing and the stitches, I don't want you...pushing...you know? Not until the stitches are out and the muscle's healed. Two swallows now, same before bed, same in the morning. Three times a day. This cream," Adrian picked up the little jar, making it dance back and forth. "you'll use just before and right after you move your bowels. It'll numb the area a little, and is also an antiseptic to help prevent infection. Last, this is a painkilling tea. Again, two swallows, same time as the other. Questions?"
"What if I don't want to use all this gunk?"
"Then you'll be in pain. And, as I hear you don't suffer in silence, and you're staying in MY house, I'll probably end up smothering you in your sleep so that I can get some rest."
"Ah." Newt said vaguely, a little unsure at the utterly serious tone Adrian had used. "I think I'll take my meds like a good boy." He picked up the jars in turn and drank from them while the man watched narrowly.
"Good choice."
Adrian headed towards the door after ensuring the boy had taken his first dose, more than ready to take a few minutes to himself.
"I'm going to latch the door so no wandering boobs stumble in. I'll bring you some lunch in a couple of hours. Have a lay down, relax, sleep for a while. I'll be back."
"Ta, Addy. Really, thanks for-"
The door closed and latched with a click before Newt could finish his sentence. Scowling a little at the firmly closed door, he huffed out a breath and eased himself over to the bed, gingerly lowering himself onto the soft pad. Staring up at the ceiling, his brows furrowed and he muttered a little to himself.
"What the bloody hell crawled up his arse all of a sudden?"
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Adrian knew that it had been a bit rude to walk out on Newt as he had, but he really, really needed a little time to himself. He'd always been good in a crisis; calm, cool and collected, he pushed through ugly harsh situations with a steady hand and steely mind. Not one to panic, or give in to useless anger or sorrow when he was needed, he could always be counted on to do what needed to be done without falling apart. It wasn't particularly noble; as far as he was concerned, he had plenty of time to vent after everything was squared away.
As he stalked through the trees on the way back to the med hut, the expression on his face was down right dangerous. His movements were jerky, anger radiating from him as he futilely tried to calm his rapidly building temper. A skittering sound in the brush behind him had him spinning in a circle, bracing for an attack. Eager for one.
A flash of silver zipped up a tree, disappearing into the thick cover of the dusty green leaves.
Adrian laid his clenched fists on the bark of a large old pine tree, breathing deeply, trying not to think. He began to tap the bark with his fist softly, rhythmically, not really aware of what he was doing. His hand picked up the pace, pounding the tree harder, and faster, until he was all out punching the wood, adrenaline coursing through him as he swung both fists at the unforgiving surface. His shoulders burned and sweat dripped down his back as he pummeled his fists against the trunk, a red haze of rage clouding his vision.
When his vision and mind finally started to clear he was standing with both palms against the tree, head hanging low, panting for breath. His bangs hung damply in front of his closed eyes. Better, emptied of the anger for the moment, he straightened and moved to swipe the sweat from his brow.
Thick dark red blood flowed freely from his swollen, shredded knuckles.
Shaking his head at himself, not yet feeling the pain, he continued on towards the med hut.
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Jeff had returned from his foraging mission by the time Adrian stepped back into the familiar building. His ready enthusiasm for the day's lesson on herbal medicine quickly dissolved into concern and frustration at the sight of Adrian's tattered flesh.
"What the shuck happened this time?!" The med-jack exclaimed, equal parts worry and exasperation in his voice.
"Had a little boxing match with a tree. I think it won."
"You don't say?" Jeff retorted sarcastically, already reaching for the antiseptic and bandages.
"Yeah well, sometimes needs must. You know how it is. Besides, you could use the practice. Tweeze the wood and bark out, disinfect, stitch. Consider it a learning opportunity."
"I have a feeling I'm going to learn a ton while you're here." Jeff muttered, pointing to a bunk and assertively taking control of the situation. "Now hold still. This is going to sting like a mother."
Author's note~ The quote "All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once." Is a quote from Terry Pratchett
See you next chapter.
~Ruby