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As Color Fades Away

Chapter Thirty-Three

Was that… was that cinnamon?

Lance's nose tickled at the scent. Not quite, he realized after taking another soft inhalation. But it was close. It was nice.

Where was he? The unknown had him stiffening, body protesting the movement and a sharp pain stabbing his chest as his breath caught. So much had happened. Was it a dream? He recalled Hunk holding him tight and the gentle tones of Coran. And Blue. He could almost feel a purr echoing through him, soothing away the hurt for just a moment.

That was real, right?

He shivered, the action setting off flares of pain. He was so cold. It was… it was just like with the Galrans. Another shiver. Why was it so cold? If he'd been rescued, why did everything still hurt? He went to speak, but chapped lips grated upon one another and he swallowed back his words.

He opened his eyes to figure out where he was, but only more darkness greeted him. Panic hitched in his chest until he recalled that Haggar had cursed him again. It was a hard thought to come by as everything seemed hazy. Fever. He remembered that from last time. Unless this was still that time. He was still in phase one and locked in his cell and everything else he'd endured had just been a living nightmare.

It couldn't be though? Could it?

Dios, please no.

He couldn't go through that again.

He tentatively stretched a hand out gut clenching as he expected to feel cold metal under his fingertips. But only the sensation of some type of cloth – sheets? – and then fresh pain, dulled though from what he remembered, arced up his entire arm.

He took another breath of the not-quite-cinnamon smell. It reminded him of home. Of his Mamá. Of safety.

He was safe.

This was real.

His chest hitched again, not with pain and fear but a sob of relief.

He was safe.

"Hey," a voice said and Lance startled, even though the tone was soft. The voice lowered even further. "It's all right, hermano. Estás bien. It's Hunk."

Hunk. Just repeating the name in his head made that feeling of safety grow and he relaxed ever so slightly again. But then another shiver disrupted the peace he'd found and he could almost hear his teeth clacking in his head.

"H-hunk?" he whispered, wincing at both the sound of his own voice and the way speaking grated his throat.

"Yeah, it's me. Can… can I put my hand on your shoulder? Just a finger, I promise."

Lance nodded. And seconds later warmth – Oh Dios, warmth – lighted like a candle on that very spot. If he'd been able to Lance would have rolled right over to soak up all of it, but even shifting slightly reawakened sleeping wounds.

"C-cold," he managed, wincing as another shudder tore through him.

"I know, I know," Hunk said, his voice just dripping with apology. "You've got a really bad fever. I… I have a Glornack seed if you're up to taking it."

Take it…? Oh. Unseeing widened. He'd have to swallow it. The memory of what happened the last time he'd tried to drink water had his cheeks heating in embarrassment but his insides freezing with dread.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Hunk said, a second finger joining to give Lance's shoulder a small squeeze. "We don't have to do that right now. You're still just waking up and I'm sure everything is pretty scary, yeah? You're cold, right? How about I get you a light blanket?"

And although his entire body screamed at him, Lance managed to reach up with his left hand and wrap his fingers about Hunk's. "D-don't…" Don't go. He needed Hunk. He was all alone without him.

"I'll stay right here. Can Allura get you a blanket instead?"

Allura? The princess was here, watching him? Seeing him panic at the thought of Hunk stepping a few feet away? Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. And although he knew it was Haggar, he could still hear the cruel words echoing in Allura's voice: Anyone who would fall so far is no Paladin of Voltron.

"Lance." Her voice was lilting in the same way as Coran's, but filled also with a sense of regality that made him feel so insignificant. He flinched. "Lance," she repeated, and she sounded so sad and worried. About him? "It is just I and Hunk. Please, may I fetch you a blanket?"

He gave a tiny nod. She didn't sound upset with him but he didn't know what he could trust anymore. Everything was still sort of hazy.

"All right," she said a few ticks later. "It is just a light blanket. I am going to place it over you now." And then something not quite warm but soft and silky gently touched down on his shoulder and fell across his body. He drew his feet up, whimpering at the movement, but wanting to make sure they made it underneath too.

"That a little better?" Hunk asked.

Lance just curled up as best he could under the blanket, body wracked with a new wave of shivers and coupled with a painful cough.

Hunk ached to just scoop him into his arms. He looked so small and scared. His fever had climbed higher, prompting Allura to wake Hunk after not even an hour of rest. Coran was already down in the medical bay, trying to convert the Glornack seed into a liquid so he could add it to the vein valve, as he and Hunk had both come to the conclusion that getting Lance to swallow it was not going to happen in the near future.

In addition to the fever, which was about one hundred and two degrees from Hunk's rough calculations of Altean, he was wracked with chills and those were ultimately what had woken him up. And as much as Hunk wanted to just bundle him in blankets until he was warm he knew that was not a good idea. They needed the fever to come down and it needed to break before he went into a cryo-pod. Lance could not delay the healing needed for his injuries, but placing him in one while he was sick – pneumonia, definitely, Hunk had concluded – could be just as life-threatening.

Everyone else was still passed out around the room and Hunk was grateful. Lance would not want an audience when he was feeling this vulnerable. Even saying that Allura was present had made him flinch and Allura had looked stricken at the reaction, no doubt thinking back to her and Hunk's earlier discussion.

"Everyone else is sleeping," he told Lance gently. "If you can manage it, you should too. You've got a bad case of pneumonia and you need the rest."

"'m sorry," Lance mumbled.

"What are you apologizing for?" Hunk chided. "You're sick and really hurt, Lance. That's nothing to be sorry about."

Lance just ducked his head.

He wanted to sleep. He did. And although he knew he was in the castle and surrounded by friends, it didn't stop the inkling of doubt that when he woke next he'd be back in his cell. Wishing for water – and he shuddered – and nearly delusional.

He was safe now.

He knew he wouldn't be safe in his dreams.

Hunk started humming then, the vibrations traveling down and warming Lance from the inside. He leaned into the light touch on his shoulder, desperate for more but at the same time scared of too much. Hunk understood though. Somehow Hunk always understood.

Lance wasn't sure what he'd done to deserve him.

Guided by the soft humming and the comforting scent of almost-cinnamon, Lance found himself relaxing further and further until at last he slipped into slumber.

Hunk looked up to Allura once he was certain Lance was asleep, his own eyes rimmed with exhaustion although he gave her a sincere smile. "That was a good idea with the carmodian leaves," he said. "I think it helped."

Allura matched his smile hesitantly. "You do?"

"Mm. Even I feel relaxed."

While Allura had been sitting alone in her vigil, the princess had been brainstorming ways to help soothe Lance that did not involve touch. Smells could be very powerful she'd realized, and even more so to someone who had no vision. She hadn't had much of an idea of what scent Lance might find comforting though.

She'd posed the idea to Coran when he had returned, with an update that the crystal was progressing well and should be ready in just about two varga. She hoped Lance was ready by then.

Her advisor had tapped his chin in thought and suggested oil as Lance did enjoy hanging around Hunk while his friend tinkered with projects. Allura had wrinkled her nose though at the thought of that scent invading the room and Coran had decided perhaps it was not the best for such an enclosed space.

Then he'd mentioned that Lance liked the scent of something called cinnamon. Supposedly the carmodian leaves that Coran sometimes used to flavor tea had a similar scent and Allura had run down to the kitchen to retrieve all that they had left.

She'd brewed several in water and left it simmering on a hot plate on her nightstand table. The scent was pleasant and permeated the room. She had been heartened when upon waking Lance had seemed to smell it and had relaxed ever so slightly.

"How long do these fevers take to heal?" she asked quietly, re-wetting the towel as she had seen Coran and Hunk do and placing it against Lance's brow.

"It depends. Lance has got it really bad though. He really needs to be on antibiotics, but none of us know enough about biology to even start working on a medicine. The Glornack seed would be helpful, but unless Coran can figure out a way to liquidize it… he can't swallow anything right now and I would never force him to."

"Hunk…" Allura's voice was grim. "If this fever is not healed by the time the cryo-pod is ready…"

"I know." A weary hand scrubbed at his face. "I don't know what's worse at this point; the illness or his wounds. We seem to have stabilized him for now, but Shiro's blood is already almost out and we can't take anymore from him for a while."

Both turned their gazes to the man in question. He was still paler than normal and so deeply unconscious that Hunk knew he was suffering the aftereffects of blood loss from his transfusion. Shiro was normally a pretty light sleeper and he should have woken up several times by now even with the minimal noise, but he was still completely out.

"Lance is still losing blood," Allura observed. She had not dared change the bandages herself, but had already had to wrap another layer around Lance's hands, feet and wrists and she had padded his side with more pieces. It was much slower than it had been before, likely due to the antiseptic, but it was still not fully clotting.

"And he will unless we stitch him up or heal him in the cryo-pod." Hunk hung his head. "I don't know what to do, Allura. Logic tells me we should do whatever we have to to save his life; seal his wounds and force him to take the medicine. But he would never, ever, trust us again if we did that. I can't do that to him."

"I agree," she said, placing a hand on Hunk's shoulder. "We must believe in him. He will pull through." Hunk gave a hum of agreement. "And now, back to bed for you as well. You are exhausted," she said heading off as Hunk opened his mouth in protest. "I will awaken you if needed, but you must sleep."

Hunk sighed, but knew her words were true. "Can't ignore an order from a princess," Hunk finally said with a small smile that Allura matched. He slowly made his way back to his designated chair, sinking down into it with a sigh. "G'night, Allura."

"Good night, Hunk."

He was out like a light, leaving Allura once more on her own. She didn't have to wait long though as Coran came bustling through, a grin splitting his face. That could only mean his endeavor had been successful and Allura beamed back.

"It took a few seeds, but I've got a nice dosage here," her advisor grinned, holding up a vial of a creamy light-brown substance. "I'm just going to add it to the fluid pouch and see if we can't bring his body temperature down."

"You outdid yourself," she praised.

He tweaked his moustache, pleased. But his expression sobered as he rejoined her. "I was unable to find anything we have onboard the ship to use to free Lance from the collar though. The only other option I can think of is the Lion's phasers, but they would never be able to concentrate on such a small space."

"So Shiro's arm…"

"Looks to be the only way," Coran said grimly. "The poor lad. I never wished to place such a burden on him."

"He will not fail," Allura said. No matter his earlier reaction she knew that Shiro would rise to the task. He would always come through for his team.

"That he will not. And now, Princess, I must insist you get some rest as well. I shall take a spell once Lance is in the cryo-pod," he said to her narrowing gaze. "I will be fine until then."

She nodded. As if pointing out she should sleep as well her body suddenly felt incredibly heavy. Perhaps a nap would do her some good.

Vacating the chair and ignoring Coran's protests, she grabbed a blanket and settled herself on the floor behind Hunk's seat. And taking in a deep breath of the carmodian leaves she drifted off as well.

xxx

When Lance awoke the next time it was to the sound of murmuring voices and the still pleasant not-cinnamon smell. And although he was still cold and still hurting, there was something else. It took longer than it should have, but he finally identified the feeling. Safe. Hunk was here. Blue, Shiro, his family… they were all here. He was safe.

He liked it. It reminded him of being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold winter day. That though made him realize how cold he still was and he shivered again.

Trying to ignore the tremor, he strained instead to hear what was being said over the hoarse sound of his own breathing. Whoever was watching him – and he hated the fear that flared up at not knowing – either hadn't noticed or was letting him come to on his own. He was grateful. It gave him a chance to try and put his thoughts in some semblance of order.

The voices were a little clearer now and he recognized them as Pidge – her voice a high-pitched breathy whisper – and that stubborn sounding voice could be none other than Keith.

"Hold still," he heard Pidge mutter. "I'm almost done."

Keith hissed in apparent pain and Pidge's voice rose. "I'm sorry, sorry, just a second. Coran made this look so easy."

"Yeah well," Keith broke off. "Can you not pull so tight?" he continued, voice tight.

Lance frowned as he tried to piece together what was happening. Was Keith… was Keith hurt?

"Allura's not going to be happy when she sees you bled all over her blankets," Pidge said. She sounded upset, but not for that reason.. "I thought you said it wasn't bad."

"It isn't," came the curt reply.

"We have very different definitions of that word."

"Shiro said the same thing."

"And that's why Shiro is the leader. He knows basic vocabulary."

The room went quiet then before there was the sound of a sniffle. "Sorry," Pidge mumbled. "I didn't mean it like that."

"I know. It's all right."

A deep sigh. "I'm just worried. I don't like seeing you hurt."

"It really isn't that bad," Keith offered up after a moment even if he sounded absolutely exhausted and his voice was tight with pain. "Honest. And your bandaging skills aren't terrible either."

"Gee, thanks," but there was a smile to her voice.

Then there was the sound of feet making double time and a quietly exuberant, "Oh, that looks excellent, Number Five. Jolly well done on enforcing those bandages." Coran. Lance could almost picture the Altean's eyes crinkling in joy. "And Number Four, another Glornack seed for you and one of my patented energy bars. No faces, my boy, you need it."

And then was the sound of water being poured, no doubt for Keith to take the medicine. But that sound… Lance had been almost relaxed, listening to the two and not being the center of attention (and that was such a far cry from normal that it just made his stomach curl with what it meant) and had felt a flicker of something – peace, maybe? – hearing Pidge's smile and Keith's attempt to cheer her up.

But it was all gone. He knew that the water was nowhere near him. He knew that his head wasn't going to be thrust under and he wouldn't be held down as it filled his lungs and he choked. He knew that and it didn't seem to matter as his entire body had frozen and air, already hard to come by, seemed to have been stolen away.

He must have made some noise other than the rasping and coughs he had almost become accustomed to hearing, because there was suddenly a flurry of activity and the sound of movement coming towards him, which only made his chest seize more.

"Easy, easy lad," Coran's voice soothed. "What's wrong?"

Lance just gasped, unable to form words even if he'd wanted to. He couldn't breathe. There was no water but he was still somehow drowning. Air, his body begged. Please. And he couldn't.

He couldn't find air.

Coran was saying something, but Lance couldn't hear him now. A different kind of darkness was encroaching across his vision and he panicked more. Not again. He couldn't go back into the memories again. And then there were hands and Lance flailed as much as he could against them, but they were unrelenting, grasping his shoulders and he could hear a laugh and a voice ask, "Where shall we begin?"

Then there were more hands and more voices and Lance flinched away, desperately seeking an escape. There were words and sounds but he couldn't make them out over the pounding in his head.

And then something slammed against his back and if he'd had the ability he'd have screamed as the hit set every nerve alight. But air. Suddenly there was air and he gulped greedily at it. The hand on his back remained, no longer causing pain but rubbing almost soothing circles on his skin.

"There, there, just breathe," a voice said, sounding right next to his ear. He started at that, pulling away as he felt hot breath ghost over his cheek and could feel Haggar's nails digging into his shoulder.

"You're okay, Lance. Estás bien."

Hunk. And Coran. He recognized them now.

Lance sucked in another harsh breath, chest rattling with the force and it took all he had to swallow back the resulting cough.

"Just breathe," Hunk's voice said, sounding further away than he wanted it to. That meant it wasn't Hunk touching him. He stiffened, but then Coran's accented tones came again and Lance realized it was his hands that were on his back and shoulders.

Coran. Not Haggar. Coran. He trusted Coran. He forced himself to take another shuddering breath, each one easier and yet harder; the icy stab morphing to something colder and fiercer.

"There you go," Coran said. "Excellent job, lad." And then he was moving, the hands gently lowering him back against what felt like a throne of pillows, leaving him in a seated position and no hands touching him.

"You with us?" Hunk murmured.

Lance managed an exhausted nod, tilting his face into the softness of the pillow. "Wh-what… happened?" he rasped.

"A bit of a panic attack, lad," Coran said gently, "and likely some additional breathing difficulties as a result of your injuries and illness. You're propped up a bit more now to assist. How do you feel?"

"Hurts," he answered simply, too tired to say more. A shiver wracked him and he tacked on, "C-cold," as well.

"I know, lad," Coran said sympathetically. "Can we put your blanket back on? I know it is not much, but perhaps it will help."

He nodded. Seconds later the not-quite-warm blanket floated over him, but he appreciated it regardless. Even amongst friends he felt so…exposed. That brought back the memory of a cold table and soft laughter as warm blood tickled his fingertips and shame burned his cheeks.

He winced at the recollection and tried to focus on something else, anything else. Anything to keep him from falling back.

"Keith?" he managed after a tick, recalling his and Pidge's discussion. Keith was hurt. Hurt because of him.

There was the sound of shuffling and the Keith was pushed (very, very gently) to Lance's beside, looking decidedly uncomfortable but still concerned. He raised a hand in greeting, before it fell awkwardly as he realized Lance couldn't see him. "Uh, Keith here."

"You're…You're h-hurt?"

"Um, just a bit. It's not that bad."

Lance didn't believe him. He'd heard Keith's pained voice, he knew it was more than he was letting on. Keith had gotten hurt because of him.

"Lo siento," he managed, guilt roiling in his stomach. "I—"

"Don't you dare apologize," Keith snapped and Lance couldn't help the recoil at the harsh tone. Keith took a deep breath, voice gentling into a less harsh tone. "Sorry. I didn't mean to yell. It's just…" And Lance could almost picture him grabbing a the back of his mullet like he did when he was frustrated. "You don't get to apologize. For anything. None of this is your fault."

Not his fault? The words repeated in his head and Lance managed the tiniest shake of disbelief. Everything was his fault.

"Number Four is right," Coran said, voice unusually firm as he saw the doubt flicker across Lance's face, the resignation and guilt swimming in those too-dark eyes. Still, he saw the exhaustion and knew that right now nothing they said to alleviate those fears was going to work. Lance needed to have a clearer head and coupled with the intense pain he was still in and the mugginess of his fever and illness this was a discussion to be had at a later date. "For now though, we just want you to concentrate on resting. Is that acceptable?"

Lance did not answer, but seemed to slump more against the pillows.

The three Paladins and Altean exchanged looks where they were clustered around the bed. It had been just shy of two varga now since Lance had first slept and about an hour since Allura had awoken Hunk due to Lance's spike in fever. It had still not gone down and the dark flush to Lance's cheeks was worrisome. At this rate they may have no choice but to forcefully cool him down via water or ice. Hopefully the Glornack seed would start fighting back soon, but they could not rely on it entirely and Coran hated to think about how Lance would react to the other option.

Pidge had stirred not long ago, used to thriving on little sleep due to her late nights, and had offered to keep vigil for Coran, but while the Altean had appreciated the offer he couldn't rest himself. Not yet. Keith had awoken not long after Pidge, a soft moan of pain breaking the near silence that had Coran scurrying over. As the sleep cleared from the amethyst eyes the Altean had watched with growing sorrow as an impassive mask had replaced the pain and he wondered what had happened to the Red Paladin that such was his reaction.

Coran realized with a pang he really didn't know much about these young humans who had been drafted into their war at all.

And although Keith had denied being in any pain, both Coran and Pidge knew it was a lie, especially as a number of the badges had blotches of red and Allura's blanket had not fared so well either. Coran had said a change of bandages was required and after carefully removing them and putting on a base layer against the horrific looking burns he had demonstrated for Pidge how to re-wrap the wounds.

The littlest Paladin had taken on the task with a grim determination after her initial shock at seeing the severity of the wounds that covered nearly all of Keith's back.

After making sure that Lance was still asleep for the time being – as well as all of the other occupants strewn about the room – Coran had hurried down to the infirmary to retrieve a few necessities and then a stop to the kitchens for more energy bars. He'd arrived back just as Pidge was finishing and then insisted upon Keith taking some medicine and eating something.

Then all hell had broken loose as Lance's regular small gasps and coughs had morphed into a near full on seizure – and Coran had a terribly sinking sensation that the water he'd poured for Keith to drink had something to do with it – that had him struggling to draw any breath and only panicking further as Coran moved to help him sit up.

Hunk had awoken in the commotion and between the two of them they managed to calm Lance down from the throes of some terrible memory while Pidge shrunk to the side, clearly remembering all too well the last time she had reached out to Lance, while Keith had sat back down upon his chair at Coran's insistence. Allura and Shiro continued somehow to sleep through it.

The collar needed to go, Coran realized. The broken ribs and water-filled lungs due to the illness and repeated drownings were a good portion of the problem, but the collar was restricting Lance from breathing as well and was no doubt beyond painful; burned into his flesh and pressing constantly on un-healing wounds. Not only that, but it was clearly a source of terrible memories and no doubt was a constant trigger, given Lance's first reaction to realizing it was there.

Coran's eyes flicked to Shiro, still slumbering away. Some color had returned to his cheeks and he no longer looked as exhausted as he had. Was it too soon though to ask him to perform such a delicate task? He would need to be fully committed. One slip and Lance's life would be forfeit.

As if summoned by the stare, Shiro stirred and a moment later blinked open one dark gray eye. Coran made his way over as the leader wearily pushed himself up to sitting, a yawn cracking his jaw. Behind him the three Paladins remained at Lance's bedside, quiet as Lance seemed to take Coran's advice and had closed his eyes, already in a light doze once more. His body could not take much more. He needed that cryo-pod and soon.

"How are you feeling, Number One?" Coran asked gently, holding out a cup of water that he'd carefully poured with nary a sound.

"Like I got hit by a truck."

Coran raised an eyebrow, not familiar with that expression.

"Human vehicle," Shiro clarified, although without any real enthusiasm as he normally did when the humans got to explain their odd terms. "Headache," he continued. "Just need some water and…" Coran held up the coveted aspirin seed. "That. Perfect. Thank you, Coran."

His expression turned more serious then. "Has Lance woken up?"

"A few times," Coran said. "His fever is growing worse and his breathing too. We need to get the collar off of him."

Shiro glanced down at his arm, stomach clenching. It didn't take a genius to figure out based on Coran's tone there still only seemed to be one option for it. He'd used it for all sorts of things in battle; slicing through sentries, repelling blasts, extra strength. But for something as delicate as Coran had suggested? Where he could so, so easily kill Lance? Hurt him, like he unintentionally had back in the cell?

But what other choice did they have? He couldn't back down from this. It needed to come off and he was the only one who could do it.

He concentrated as hard as he could on just turning on a single finger, sweat beading on his forehead at the action. His whole hand thrummed with purple light and he grit his teeth. No. Focus.

His whole hand flickered again, but the glow condensed itself to his index finger and he panted, staring at it. It was taking more concentration than using the prosthetic ever had before, but he'd done it. He started at it, his back slowly unfurling from where he'd hunched over and his breathing evened out as his hold became steadier.

"Okay," he whispered, looking up to meet Coran's eyes, purple light washing over them both. "Let's do this."

Because they hadn't a moment more to lose.

Author's Notes:

A cookie for you if you can figure out where Keith's first bedside line and action comes from. I shouldn't laugh, but I did. Very hard. I hope you all get the same endearing picture I did.

Mmm, Cinnamon, perfect for this time of year. I figure that since Lance's sight is compromised smell is going to be pretty important (and even once he gets it back there's nothing like a comforting scent to set your mind at ease). Looks like we're moving in for the big guns now though. Everyone ready?

Since I've had a few comments about Haggar having Lance's quintessence, I shall clarify: No one on Team Voltron is aware Haggar has it and they will not because it is undetectable that Lance even lost it. I have the idea of quintessence being able to be restored with rest (hence why Haggar wanted to keep Lance and keep feeding off of him) so Lance will regain that missing drop no problem. The only real problem is that Haggar can track him with it. May as well hang out the big welcome mat now!

And before y'all question me, yes, I do know today is Thursday :p I decided to update a day early because of the Q&A planned for Saturday and I wanted to make sure everyone had time to read the chapter if they were coming to hang out. Again, all details on my profile for it but we're kicking off at 1130 CST. There's also a few questions for you guys this time around if you have a few ticks to answer. Thanks!

All the love to the fabulous reviewers! Shout outs to: vickydd, Lasagna, WhiteTails, Wolf Of the Demise, Arrowshaft, fakeyourdecaf, White Space Lion, Sirrius The Moonblade, Alexa, DoctorMerlinReid, Guest, Justanangryfangirl, Pfeh, wingedflower, ShiroHichi891, Pheonixwarrior123, IceAurora, imagine forevermore, Jennyfish26, JustADamFrenchFry, Oliviadbell, dragonrush, TheTheoryofFangirling, hobbes101, Shadows Demons, HetaRosFangirl, Cats and violin, Jadegem02, Arrowcomix, KarleighH, Skiewrites 2.0, LishaChan, Shadow Gray, Stargirl720, Adrianna Agray, Guest, GekonniaPL, StrawberryFever3, Death Jump, BlueCookiesforRick, PaintedWings45, FanaticFangirl2602, rwbygirl, The-Angst-Chronicles, Eeveecat1248, Spacenerd7, Guest, Belletiger BT, Merlin's Knight and C.J. Robbins!

Would love to hear your reactions to the chapter! Even if it's just a single line knowing y'all are out there enjoying it makes my day, so thank you!