It wasn't a bad evening, considering how poorly the day had started. They had arrived early in the morning in a small town with a forgettable name. However, it seemed that their reputation had preceded them, for as soon as they had stepped through the threshold of the nearest inn, they were assailed by a flood of pleas. Half the population was at their feet, begging for their help and telling them stories of a terrible beast deep in the forest, along with tales of disappearances and dead livestock. Without exchanging so much as a sidelong glance, Vox Machina accepted the mission.

It was an exhausting job. They had spent the day tracking this monster, through thick and thin, bogs and bugs, only to end up with a ridiculously short fight, as they had caught the monster sleeping. At seven against one, the poor creature didn't even have time to react.

When they returned to town, they were welcomed like kings. Exhausted, they headed for the inn, but the mayor insisted on inviting them that very evening, They left without having time to clean up or grab a pint. Refusing the mayor's invitation would have been unwise.

That's how they found themselves dragging their feet to party in the most pompous mansion they'd seen in a while, in dirty tattered clothes, half exhausted, talking to displeasing rich assholes who were laughing with them as if they'd been present during the fight. Grog, Keyleth, and Pike were struggling to stay awake, relying only on stubborn willpower to keep going. The other half dug into their last reserves to smile and nod at their hosts. Scanlan, who had a better reserve of energy due to… his nocturnal training, was doing slightly better than the trio.

Vex and Vax, true to themselves, kept to the sidelines. They saved their strength by not talking to anyone, and no one dared approach them for fear of being caught in the menacing aura they emitted.

The only one holding up was their Percival.

He was in the same state as them but, unlike the group, he was able to mingle in conversations. The twins watched him from afar. It was always impressive to see their gunslinger blending in with nobles, rediscovering his roots in a way. Their meticulous eyes could spot signs of fatigue in him, but his etiquette was stronger than his fatigue. He stood straight and responded to his interlocutors, driven by an energy that was as much an automatism as it was good manners.

"He does belong here," Vax murmured. He belatedly realized that his mouth had spoken before his brain gave him permission to.

He didn't need to look at Vex to know she had heard him. She was thoughtful, swirling her wine slowly in her glass. Sharing his thoughts with his sister was an absolute need for Vax, and even though she wasn't looking at him, even though he hadn't clearly voiced out the fears that weighed on his heart, he knew that Vex had understood him. This was a fear they both shared. Somewhere deep down, she too was afraid that Percy would leave them. Seeing him so comfortable while they were so gauche only highlighted this feeling.

"Have faith, brother. He wouldn't leave us."

Vax was doubtful. Now that the events in Whitestone were over, what was stopping Percy from returning to his rightful position? To stay among those high society folks who understood his complicated vocabulary and shared an etiquette that none of them could match. Their group looked like a bunch of beggars who had been brought out of the streets for the evening.

Percy, despite the twigs stuck everywhere, the mud on his pants and his dishevelled hair, was practically glowing.

"Unclench your jaw and uncross your arms," Vex whispered, "You look like you have the squirts."

She left with a smile, apparently very happy with her little joke. Vax pouted. He trusted Percy, he truly did. It was impossible not to, after the shit they'd been through, but he knew how powerful the call of his own could be. He wondered how Vex managed to trust Percy. Wasn't she afraid that he would leave them to go back to Whitestone? He would be much better there than trudging around in the forest with them daily.

He stopped himself before he could think about it all night. The best solution was to go back to the inn. Too bad for the nobles and their posh party. As he pondered about which lie he would use to get out of there, he saw that a nobleman had become emboldened in his conversation with Percy and, after inviting him repeatedly, had succeeded in pulling him away.

Vax didn't like it. Nothing good ever happened when people were taken aside, even among the nobles.

He snuck after them, far enough away not to be spotted. They stopped at the end of a hallway, and Vax found a spot in a recess to spy on them. He recognized the other noble immediately. It was their host, the owner of this mansion. He had repeatedly expressed how happy he was to see them, but it was clearly Percy whom he admired the most. Leaning in, Vax managed to hear the end of a conversation:

"Percival, am I happy to see you! You don't know how glad I am to have you here with us tonight!"

"Yes, as you said. Is there a reason why you took me apart and away from the party?"

He was suspicious. Good. A very good reflex to have. However, it was quite unnecessary here, as the noble seemed to mean them no harm. Instead, their host looked surprised. He regained his composure and answered in a regretful voice:

"Percy, I'm confused! I mean you no harm. You may not remember me, but I was very good friends with your parents."

Vax saw Percy tense infinitely. He clenched his fist, making his gloves creak.

"Were you?" There was no anger in his voice yet. Part of what made Percy so stoic was his ability to mask the emotions in his voice. But now, Vax and the others were starting to understand him. They could decipher his body language.

"Yes, he was, and it pains me to see one of his children roam the streets." The noble's gaze passed over Percy's deplorable attire. Percy, somewhat self-conscious, crossed his arms behind him. "I want you to stay with us, at least tonight, get a good night's rest and a good meal."

The noble started regaining confidence. He smiled and gave Percy a small pat on the shoulder. The gunslinger flinched imperceptibly. "I am sure you wouldn't like to miss out on good wine once in a while, am I right?"

Percy didn't react to the nobleman's laughter.

There was a noise behind Vax, a noise that only a rogue or a brother could have noticed. Annoyed, he turned to Vex "You just couldn't resist, could you?"

Vex smirked. Discreetly, she leaned over to observe the scene. When she saw that it was one of them, she sighed mockingly at her brother. "Spying on Percy, uh? You just couldn't resist, could you?"

Vax knew it was pointless to bicker with her, and he turned his attention back to the much more interesting conversation that was happening further away.

"Your offer is very generous," Percy replied, though he looked like he didn't believe it a bit. "Would you be able to extend the courtesy to the entirety of Vox Machina?"

The noble's expression soured slightly at Percy's request, but he quickly recovered his composure and smiled tightly, trying to keep up the charade.

"This dirty band of thieves? Percival, I understand that you feel a sense of duty towards them, but you must understand why I can't accept. In good conscience, I can't open my doors to any crimi… to the whole Tal'Doriel." After a pause, as he noticed Percy wasn't responding, he added a shy "I am sorry, dear Percival."

Now he'd done it. Percy looked pissed. It was surprising that the noble hadn't spotted it yet. Honestly, his narrowed gaze was a clear giveaway. Percy, true to form, kept his cool despite his simmering anger. "Then you understand why I must refuse."

Vax would have laughed at the situation, but they had to keep a low profile. The crestfallen look on the noble's face was making the whole day worth it. The man was both shocked and lost. He couldn't understand why his generous offer had been refused.

"You have been nothing but disrespectful towards Vox Machina. I would betray them if I were to accept the offer of someone who is so vulgar with my family," Percy continued.

"Your family? But the De Rolos are…"

"I am not speaking of the De Rolos." Percy raised his voice to cut him off and, as the noble yielded, Percival's voice dropped, falling into low tones. He had maintained the icy coolness acquired from a surfeit of anger. Percy probably didn't realize it, but he was leaning more and more over the nobleman, towering over him with his tall stature, and with each assault, the noble retreated a little more into his shell. "Vox Machina has accepted me for my strengths and my weaknesses. They have supported me more than any words of yours ever could. They are as much my family as the De Rolo were. You have had but the utmost respect for the De Rolo family, and for that I am grateful. However, you haven't shared the same regard towards Vox Machina, which is unacceptable. Knowing your intentions towards them, I will not spend a second more in your company. Now, may you excuse me, I am taking my leave, and I would thank you for not bothering me with such trivial matters ever again."

Percy turned around and left with a firm step. It wasn't until the last moment that Vex and Vax remembered they were in the way. They ran away before Percy could see them.

In less time than it took to say it, the twins had found their place back in the same corner of the party.

"Are you reassured now, Vax?" Vex had found her drink and was busy pretending she had never left it. "He won't leave. At least not without telling us."

"I never said otherwise. And shall I remind you that you were just as anxious as I was."

"Hmmm... That's true."

Her gaze got lost in the crowd. Percy had returned, but he was heading towards the exit, with a grimace on his face and a confident but steep step.

Vex had spotted him and walked over before he could reach the main door. She held him back with a light pressure on his sleeve.

"Percy, darling. Where are you going?"

Vax appeared before her. Percy softened somewhat.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to sneak out. I am tired, and the wine is sour. If you wish to stay more, you can. I will be at the inn."

He freed his arm and left. Vax would have expected the doors to slam behind him, but their Percival was too well-behaved for that.

"I guess we can leave then," Vax sighed. He wasn't unhappy about going to bed.

"Dibs on Pike and Keyleth."

Vax groaned.

The girls were waiting for him at the exit when he finally managed to pull Grog and Scanlan away. Percy had arrived at the tavern a long time ago. He was sitting in a corner of the room, on the most remote bench he could find when the rest of Vox Machina arrived. He had a book in his hand and a half-empty glass of wine was sitting on a nearby counter. He looked up when he saw them come in, closed his book, and announced that he was going to bed. After some hesitation, he turned back and downed his wine in one gulp.

"No goodnight kiss?" Scanlan tried to joke, but Percival walked past him without stopping. It wasn't until the gunslinger had disappeared that the bard crossed her arms. "Sheesh, someone's in a bad mood. He could at least be happy that we put up with this horrible evening with him."

Grog and Pike had already gone to bed. Had she been allowed to, Keyleth would have lain down on the table to sleep. Vex stopped her by putting an arm under her shoulder.

"I think you didn't see the same thing we did," Vex told him. "Percy suffered just as much as we did."

"Suffered? Are you kidding? He left without saying goodbye and now he's sulking. I wanted to come back too! He could have told us!"

"He cares in his own way," Vax replied. "He was waiting for us to come back."

"He was reading a book." Scanlan dropped.

"And, pray tell, why would he be reading a book in the noisiest place of the whole city?"

Scanlan, who always had a comeback ready, was speechless for once. "Touché."

Vex and Vax headed back to their rooms, leaving Scanlan to ponder. The gnome, seeing that he was alone, hurried to follow them, claiming that he hadn't had time to "find himself a room" for the night.

Vax didn't know what he could have expected tonight, but it certainly wasn't Percy's words. He had called them his family. He had defended them, even though none of them was there to hear it. Vax had never doubted the trust Vox Machina put in each other. He and Vex would have left long ago otherwise. But it felt good to be reminded that this trust was mutual.

Vex, Scanlan, and Keyleth were already far ahead when he stopped outside Percy's bedroom door. An impulse made him open the door, and he found Percy struggling with his pyjama top, stressed at having been caught in a somewhat intimate moment. Vax blamed himself for not knocking. Percy had asked him a hundred times already, but Vax still couldn't get used to it.

It was clear that Percy wasn't expecting any visitors. His glasses were on the bedside table. It was only once he could see again that he greeted him "Ah, Vax'ildan."

Vax had entered without thinking, and he was caught off guard as to what to say. He didn't want Percy to think he was crazy, so he decided to say the first thing that had come to his mind:

"You were waiting for us."

Percy looked away. He had a small embarrassed smile on his face. Since Whitestone, he had been hiding his emotions less and less for them. "So you've noticed."

"Thank you," Vax said.

"No!" Percy hastened to correct him. "I should be thanking you."

"What? But why?"

"For giving me a second chance."

Percy's honesty shook him and, just this one time, Vax thought it wouldn't hurt to return the favour. "I was... I was afraid you'd leave, after Whitestone." There, Vax had jumped in with both feet. Percy was staring at him like an owl. He felt very stupid.

"Me, leave? After everything Vox has done for me?"

"That's the thing!" Vax interrupted. "We don't want you to stay because you feel you have to."

The nobleman's words came back to his mind. A sense of duty towards them, he had said. But the rich ignoramus's grating voice was drowned out by Percy's firm and determined tone, imposing itself betwen Vax and his thoughts.

"I do not. I meant what I said. Vox Machina is more than just a means to an end. You are more like a... like a family."

Vax looked up, suddenly impressed. Percy had managed to spot them spying on him. "You knew I was there?!"

"No," Percy huffed sarcastically. "But now I do. Also, you never share your feelings unless you know something."

Hook, line and sinker. Vax was speechless. It seemed like he wasn't the only one to notice things.

"Alright! Well, I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear anything and I'll go to bed. I think we're all going to sleep in tomorrow, so, uh... see you then?"

"Yes, see you tomorrow Vax'ildan. Good night, Vex'ahlia."

Vex'ahlia was there? Vex'ahlia was there. She was leaning against the door frame and looking at him silently. Her gaze said, "Couldn't help it, huh?" Vax stuck his tongue out at her.

"Good night, darling," Vex said to Percy.

They left, closed the door. Barely three steps further, Vex was already teasing him. "You're such a baby sometimes." Vax nudged her with his elbow. He hated not having the last word.

As Vax settled into bed that night, he felt good, lighter. He was glad to have had that emotional conversation with Percy today. He felt like the bond in their group was finally starting to tighten up. Vax closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Spending such an exhausting day might be worth it once in a while if it allowed him to get to know his teammates a little better.