Fancy stroked the girl's hair back. "You'll be okay now, won't you, Lynn?"
She nodded, exhaling slowly. "You're friend's the one I'm worried about. You were pretty terrified when he-" she stopped, unable to say it.
Fancy smiled softly, still stroking her hair. "He'll be alright. I made sure of that. His brother's a wiz when it comes to real bad wounds. Apparently, it's not the first time."
Lynn's eyes widened. "Oh, wow. Are you sure Styxx is human?"
Fancy laughed, kissing Lynn on the forehead. "One hundred percent sure. It's his brother that isn't."
Lynn returned the grin. "Sure. That explains a lot."
Fancy stood. "I have to go. Rest, okay? You got a bad shock today, but we'll find a way to keep him away from us." She caught Boo's eyes and nodded to make sure Lynn would rest while she was gone.
"You ought to take your own advice, Fancy," Boo said.
"I am. As soon as I get to Styxx's place. Promise." She blew a kiss to Boo.
Boo shook her head but let Fancy leave anyway.
Fancy took off down the street, trying to look casual as she passed the other girls still working. "Hey, Fan, you off again?" on of the girls called to her.
"Yeah. I'll bring back food again, though. I gotta go check up on Styxx."
"You haven't worked for the past week," the girl pressed on.
Fancy paused and arched her brow. "Do you have a problem with my work ethics?" She asked, her voice cool.
"Maybe."
"I earn more then my keep. I cover all excess expenses with the money I get, and I'm not allowed to spend a bit of down time? Alright then, perhaps you'd like to fend for yourself, find your own place, your own food, your own protection. You know, if Boo and I don't do enough for you."
The girl sputtered. "I didn't mean-"
"Because hun, life ain't cheap, even here in the land of the free. If you question me, you get a warning. You question Boo, she'll drop you on your ass so fast you won't have time to realize what hit ya." Fancy turned and continued walking.
She reached Styxx's house quickly enough. The gates swung open at her approach, and the door was unlocked. She quickly ran up to Styxx's room, smiling and leaning against the doorway when she saw Styxx sleeping.
Styxx turned to see Fancy leaning in the doorway. He reached out a hand. "Come join me," he whispered.
Fancy kicked off her shoes and draped her duster over a chair before curling up next to him. "You feeling alright?" she murmured.
"Alright enough, considering I was stabbed in the stomach."
Fancy winced, running her hand gently over his stomach where he had been stabbed. "Didn't Acheron take care of it?"
"Yeah. It's fine."
Fancy smiled and ran her fingers through his hair. "You should rest."
"I am resting." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him.
Fancy giggled softly and rested her head on his shoulder. "Go to sleep. You haven't slept in forever." She gently stroked his cheek.
He smiled softly at her, then closed his eyes.
Fancy stayed nestled against him as his breathing slowly evened out. Her expression became sad as she remembered what happened. If it wasn't for her… sighing, she gently disentangled herself from his arms and left the bed. She drew her duster around herself again, retying her converse. She slipped out of the room silently, returning to the Greek design room that she had been set up in since she's first come.
Styxx awoke soon after Fancy left the room. After a few moments, he left his room and went back to his study. He tied back his hair, pouring over his books.
Fancy heard movement and padded down to his study, where she knew he would be. She sighed. "You're supposed to be sleeping."
Styxx didn't look up. "I can't sleep."
Fancy sighed, curling up in a nearby chair. "It's late, Styxx," she pleaded. "Go to sleep."
"Not tired." He still didn't look at her.
Fancy stood and walked to his chair. She grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her. "Bull, Styxx. You're exhausted. You've barely slept all week, and God only knows how much you've slept before. Your eyes are bloodshot. Go to sleep."
Styxx stood, barely a hand's breadth from her. "Only if you come too."
Fancy looked away. "I ought to go back," she murmured.
Styxx caught her wrist. "No," he said softly. "Please, Fancy. Stay with me."
Fancy looked up at him. "It's my fault you were stabbed, Styxx. If Acheron hadn't come…"
"I wouldn't have died. Acheron tried killing me once. It didn't work."
Fancy's eyes widened in surprise. "Hell of a curse you've got there," she muttered. He expression softened. "Fine. I'll stay." She wrapped her arm around his waist and led him back to his bedroom.
