Author notes:

Unexpected sequel!

If you're happening on this without reading the previous story Pyrophilic, you should probably go back and read that one. This literally picks up right where that left off.

If you're just insanely stubborn and insist on reading this before Pyrophilic, I suppose I can give you a brief recap. If you've already read it, skip the rest of this note and start reading:

Anya is the adopted daughter of Loid and Yor. Loid is an ex-corporate spy from a big conglomerate, and Yor is the ex-heir to a major martial arts dojo. (I know this seems all random, but if you would just read the effin story it would make more sense.)

Anya and Damian loved each other, but didn't know it yet. Damian was supposed to be part of an arranged marriage, so he turned Anya down when she confessed to him in middle school, breaking her heart.

Years later, Damian's dorm burns down under mysterious circumstances, and Anya and Damian have to live together.

Anya finds out Damian has loved him, gets upset that she was lied to, but is also happy that he does love her, because she still loves him. But she doesn't trust him, so when Damian decides he will give up his family name to be with her, she declines. Eventually, Damian convinces her to let him prove it to her. (God this all sounds so disjointed, please go read the damn thing)

It doesn't work, but then for reasons Anya goes to his newly finished dorm to talk to him, a bomb explodes (oh yeah, the original fire was an arsonist, a disgruntled former employee Murdoch Swan, and he was caught while placing bombs all over the campus. They thought they found them all but guess not) and then Damian literally throws himself into a burning building to save her. In the process, Anya realizes she does trust Damian, and then they survive the burning building and hug. Anya also convinces Damian's father, Donovan, to consider her as Damian's fiancé. Want to know how they survived the burning building? Too bad. Go read it.


— — —

Filial

— — —

Chapter 1

— — —

Filial. [ fil-ee-uhl ] Adjective. Of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter.

— — —

A siren's wail spools down to a hum as the second ambulance rolls to a stop at the scene. The firefighters are still dousing the ruined dormitory, but their actions are perfunctory at this point; only smoke and steam are emitting from the charred wreckage, the fire is not coming back.

Tomorrow the bulldozers will come, smashing and crushing the remnants of the dormitory into manageable chunks and fine ash, the former to be hauled away by the truck load, the latter to be carried off with the wind. The site will be cleared and foundations assessed, and Eden Academy will start the process of beginning anew.

They won't be the only ones.

In the middle of the courtyard, a young couple embrace. Both have bandages temporarily strung over their bodies, and one has a crutch. Their clothes and hair are covered in soot and char. Damian lets the pressures of years of suppression and confinement out into Anya's shoulder, as she soothes him by rubbing his back.

"I got you." She whispers into his ear.

The tremors subside, and he coughs. Catching his breath, he stands up straight and looks down at Anya, smiling. She smiles back up.

"Anya I-" He clears his throat, and tries to talk. "An-" He coughs again. This time his whole body shakes as he does, hunching over and covering his mouth. Anya looks concerned and pats his back.

During a brief respite between coughing fits, Damian pulls his hand away from this mouth, only to see it covered in blood. He looks up to Anya, who's eyes widen.

Anya looks up at the ambulance at the edge of the courtyard, waving her arms. "Hey! I need help!"

Damian falls to his knees, coughing and wheezing as he continues to spit up blood. Anya worries over him as the paramedics run over. She backs up after they crowd around him and begin to assess. Damian tries to stand up again, only for the hacking to start over.

One paramedic rushes back to his vehicle and gets in. He hops the ambulance over the curb and drives onto the grass up to where Damian is hunched over. He gets out and opens the door, not even bothering to unload the gurney.

Loid and Yor come over, attracted by the sudden bustle of activity, they stand next to Anya and watch.

They help him up into the back of the ambulance and lay him on the bed, as Damian starts struggling to breathe. They put a mask over his face just before one of them closes the door and starts towards the driver's seat.

"W-wait what happened? Where are you going?"

The paramedic didn't stop while answering over his shoulder. "He'll be fine but we need to get him to a hospital now." He gets into the front without another word, turning on the lights and heading out.

Anya stares at the lights as they fade down the road, Yor puts an arm around her and gently nudges her. Loid speaks up. "They said he'll be okay, let's let them handle it from here. Come on, let's get you to the hospital and you can see him after you've been seen."

Anya slowly nods and allows herself to be led toward the second ambulance. She hobbles over on one crutch, trying to not let the worry overtake her.

Halfway there, the world starts to blur. She stumbles for a second and recovers, but it's starting to get darker out. The edges of her sight are narrowing in.

She takes another step and tries to look up to ask why this is happening, only to feel herself falling. She feels herself get caught by something right before the lights go out.

— — —

— — —

— — —

The first thing Anya hears is the windy white noise of air handlers. Then a steady electronic beep. She barely opens her eyes, before the blinding light made her immediately regret her decision.

She groans and puts her hands up to her face.

"Good morning sleepy head" says a muffled familiar voice.

Anya's eyes shoot open and she spins her head in the direction of the voice, only for her head to retaliate in a vicious pounding pain that made her ears ring. She closes her eyes and hisses through the pain.

"Told you you had a concussion, dummy" Damian coughs briefly, causing him to wince in pain.

Anya lets the ringing die down before she can respond. "I told you we should have gone to the hospital sooner, stupid." She opens up one eye just a bit to look over at him.

Damian is laying on the bed next to her with an oxygen mask over his face and a bandage around his chest. He has a small tube leading from the bandage. He has his right arm in a sling.

"Yeah well I almost lost you, excuse me for not wanting to lose sight of you again so soon."

Anya glares. "You know, you can't just be a jerk and then say sweet things and expect the world to be okay with it." She lays her head back down, facing the ceiling and crossing her arms over her chest. "... not every time, at least."

Damian chuckles, and coughs, and winces.

Anya glances over at him. "... Are you okay?"

Damian nods. "Yeah, apparently my broken rib caused my lung to collapse. No big deal."

Anya startles. "No big deal!?-ack." She grabs her head again as the pounding returns, triggered by the sudden movements.

"You should really take it easy." Damian smirks.

"You think?" Anya digs her fingers into her head as she wills the pain to subside.

After a few moments, it does, and Damian speaks as he sees she's recovered. "How are you doing?"

She's still wincing. "Living my best life over here, Damian. Not too bad considering I was tossed around by a literal bomb."

She looks over at him. "When are we going to talk about that, by the way? Damian? Why was there a bomb in your dorm?"

"You don't remember talking with Mr. Henderson? Wow you're worse than I thought."

Anya narrows her eyes at him. "Ha. Ha. I do remember, he said that Murdoch Swan was the arsonist and he must have planted it, and they missed it when they searched campus."

"So what's the problem?"

"You remember Murdoch. Did he strike you as the kind of person who could build a bomb?"

Damian mulls this over. "I guess not?"

"Also didn't they arrest him months ago? Why did it go off just now?"

"Maybe he wanted to wait until spring break so there wouldn't be anyone in there?"

"Again, doesn't sound like the bloodthirsty arsonist they've described." Anya starts gripping her head again.

"And you sound like you're thinking more than you should be. You should stop."

Anya grimaces as the pounding continues. "Make me."

Before Damian has a chance to respond, a doctor walks in, looking annoyed. She frowns at them. "You both need to cut it out now or I'll put you in separate rooms."

She points at Damian. "You have a broken collarbone and a fractured rib caused your lung to collapse. Stop doing anything but slow breathing. And you." She points to Anya. "You have a fractured tibia and fibula in your leg, and you received a concussion so bad we had to put six stitches in your head to close the cut. Stop thinking about anything and rest."

They both sheepishly respond "Yes ma'am" while looking away.

She looks at Damian. "I literally just said… ugh forget it. You're going to have to stay here for observation until tomorrow, then we can remove the chest tube and send you home." She turns to Anya. "You can leave in a few hours, your parents are talking with the admins right now but they can come get you after."

Anya glances over at Damian, then back at the doctor. "C-can I stay?"

She raises an eyebrow at her "Now why would you want to do that?"

Anya looks at her hands, and sneaks glances at Damian. "I just… He saved me." She looks up at the doctor, eyes beginning to water. "I don't want to leave him yet."

Anya looks back down and rubs her eyes, and the doctor looks back and forth between them. She sighs. "... If you promise to let him rest and if you promise you'll get some rest, I might be convinced to keep you for observation as well."

Anya nods without looking up, still rubbing her eyes. "Yes ma'am, I will."

"Then I suppose it's fine. I'll let your parents know, they'll be back soon." She turns around and leaves without waiting for a response.

"You're insatiable." Damian whispers.

Anya peeks up at him, grinning, her crocodile tears having dried up. She waits for a few more moments to ensure the coast is clear and lifts up her head, smiling triumphantly.

Damian shakes his head. "You really should go home and rest- hey what- stop!"

Anya has a determined look on her face as she slides off the bed and hops over to his, dragging the IV bag stand with her. She plops on the bed next to Damian, laying down next to him with an arm carefully placed over his stomach.

"Hey I never said where I would rest. Also, I think I've earned this." She puts her face back into his side. "So have you."

Damian sighs into his oxygen mask and puts an arm over Anya. Anya nuzzles into him more in response.

They both start to drift off, as the stress and excitement of the day catch up to them. Tomorrow, there will be time to figure out how life 'after' is supposed to go, but for now, they have everything they need in their arms. Soon they are both breathing slow and deep breaths, deep into the sleep they've been ordered to take.

Loid and Yor come in an hour later, and cover them both with a blanket.

— — —

— — —

— — —

Damian and Anya are startled awake by a sudden jostling of the bed. Anya looks up at him and smiles. "G'mornin"

Damian smiles down at her. "Good morning. Didn't think I'd be waking up like this again so soon."

Anya giggled. "Me neither."

The doctor rams their bed with a wheelchair, again. "Yes yes this is all so sweet but can you please stop drooling on my patient?"

Anya spins around and sees the doctor, looking very irate. Anya smiles innocently as she slowly gets up.

Anya makes like she's going to get back into her own bed when the doctor holds up a finger. "Ah ah, no, you're getting in this." She gestures to the wheelchair. "Your parents are waiting in the lobby, you're being discharged."

Anya frowns. "Wait, what about him?"

"He still needs his chest tube removed and to be stitched up. We'll be calling his parents to pick him up."

"Wait wait, his dad isn't going to come pick him up. He lives in a completely different city. We'll take him."

"Even if he's over 18 it's still hospital policy to discharge students to their parents or guardians." She sternly gestures to the chair, and Anya slides into it. The doctor continues. "What about his mom?"

Anya looks uncertain at Damian. "... I don't kn-"

"She won't be picking me up, either." Damian interrupts. "I'll call my father. He'll give permission."

The doctor nods. "That's fine. But you still need to go." She says, looking at Anya. "You can't be here for the procedure."

Anya leans into the back of the wheelchair, letting her head fall back. "Fine~~." She looks at Damian. "See you soon. Don't die."

He chuckles. "I'll try not to." With that, Anya is wheeled out of the room.

Anya and the doctor proceed to the front lobby, where her parents are waiting. They get up to greet her with a smile.

A brief conversation with the doctor, complete with after care instructions, when to get the cast off, etcetera. Afterwards the doctor leaves them alone to wait.

Loid wheels her over to where they were sitting, and sits back down. They are both smiling at Anya, and Anya starts to get nervous.

"So." Yor starts. "You and Damian are… Doing well?"

"Oh. Heh. Yeah."

"Was that before or after he saved you from a burning building?" Loid asks.

Anya tilts her head up and speculates. "Ummm kinda in the middle? But also not? I just…" Anya smiles softly and looks away. "I guess I just saw the truth of how I really felt. When I was trapped I felt like I was waiting for him to rescue me, like I was expecting it to be him. It surprised and didn't surprise me at the same time. It showed me that I really did have faith in him, and when he came around the corner looking for me he proved it. Then it all just sort of clicked."

Loid and Yor smile fondly at her as they listen.

"So, I take it you're dating now?" Yor ventures.

"Ah ye- hmmm… actually no. He hasn't asked me yet." Anya sits up straight, looking excited. "Ooo but I bet he thinks we are going out already. Oh this is going to be fun." Anya fidgets in her seat.

Loid sighs at Anya. "Be nice to the poor boy."

"Oh don't you worry about him. I'm plenty nice to him other times to make up for it."

Several minutes later, Damian is wheeled out into the lobby. The doctor pushes him over to the other three.

"I've been instructed by Damian's father to give him to you, so here." The doctor gestures at the chair, and hands Loid a folder. "I've already explained his aftercare, but here's some instructions anyway."

Loid looks confused, but accepts the folder anyway. "Oh… o..kay… Oh that's right." Loid turns to Damian. "You're homeless again, aren't you?"

Anya snickers while Yor slaps Loids arm. "Loid, phrasing."

Loid laughs. "Fine fine. But seriously. Where are you going to stay? Is the academy housing you anywhere?"

Damian looks confused. "Not.. that I've heard…"

Anya looks at Loid. "Dad what are you saying? He's staying with us. He didn't move out all that long ago."

"Right, but we haven't received a formal request to house him from the academy or his parents."

"Father" Damian corrects.

"Father. Plus, I don't know how I feel about having you two under the same roof while you're dating each other."

Damian starts to protest. "M-Mr. Forger. I can assure you th-"

Anya interrupts. "I told you, we're not dating."

"Right, we're not dat-" Damian whips his head around. "We're not?"

Anya grins. "I don't remember you asking me?"

Damian looks perplexed, then frowns, and then has a look of utter determination flash onto his face. Using one shaky arm, he pushes himself up to standing. Anya looks up at him, curious.

He takes a step towards Anya, and takes a knee in front of her. Anya suddenly has lost her smug grin and now looks surprised, somewhat flustered.

Damian takes her hand in his.

"Anya. When I let George throw me onto that burning building, I'm glad that you were able to learn that you trusted me, but that's not why I did it. I did it, knowing full well that it wouldn't change a thing between us. I did it because I have and will always love you, and I will always run straight into hell to save you."

Anya's jaw hangs open, speechless, and Damian continues.

"I'm sorry for not accepting your confession all those years ago. I'm sorry for being stupid, all the time, but especially when you were pouring your heart out to me. It's torn me up since then, not only because I turned you down and broke your heart, but because I couldn't answer your feelings with my own, which were always as strong as yours. Do you remember what I told you at the aquarium? I feel the sun's warmth when I see you smile. You are my star. And if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I promise to always trust and cherish you."

Damian presses his forehead to her hand. "Will you please go out with me?"

Anya has a hand up to her mouth and a tear escapes an eye. She waits for Damian to look up at her and nods, knowing that if she uses her voice right now, it would open the floodgates to the swell she's feeling in her heart.

Damian smiles pure joy and lifts himself up to hug her with one arm. Anya wraps both her arms around him and keeps nodding into his shoulder.

They separate after a few moments, and Anya looks up at her parents as she wipes her eyes. "...Okay, now we're dating."

Loid and Yor smile warmly at them both, feeling privileged to have seen an act so sweet between their daughter and the one she loves.

"That was incredibly sweet, you two." Loid says with a sigh. "But now I'm definitely not letting you live with us."

Anya bounced a little in her chair. "Dad! Come on! We'll be good! He's homeless and needs us!"

Yor looks at Loid. "I think it'll be okay, our apartment isn't that big, we can keep an eye on them."

Anya nods enthusiastically.

"I promise to respect your home and your daughter, Mr. Forger." Damian bows slightly.

Loid throws up his hands. "Fine, I get it, I know when I'm being overruled. But we're going to have a long discussion about ground rules when we get home. Speaking of which" Loid stands up. "We should start heading there." He walks around to Anya and starts to push her wheelchair. Damian and Yor follow.

As soon as Damian catches up, Anya grabs his hand and squeezes.

They all load up into the car, with Damian and Anya in the back. Anya grabs his hand again and leans against his shoulder, smiling.

She rubs her cheek against his shoulder as Loid starts the car and begins driving home. "You know, as far as love confessions and asking someone out goes, that wasn't half bad."

"Heh, thank you. Meant every word."

"I know." Anya nuzzles again. "Can't wait to see how you ask me to marry you."

Loid slams the brakes, screeching the car to a halt. All three of them turn to stare at Anya, two are in shock, one is just incredulous.

She looks around, and it dawns on her. "...Oh yeah! I forgot to tell you guys…"

— — —

— — —

— — —

—Flashback, the night of the explosion, on a road overlooking the academy—

A pair of binoculars stick out of a car window, resting on the edge of the heavily tinted glass that's been rolled halfway down. A single gloved hand holds it up.

The reflection of the binoculars give away their target: a young man and women embracing in the courtyard. One with black hair, one with pink, both covered in black soot.

The individual on the other side of the binoculars grits her teeth in frustration. Her other hand, holding a wine glass, shakes and trembles as she grips it tighter. The glass shatters as her hand makes a fist, and she doesn't flinch. Not even as she releases her hand to let the shards of glass fall out, followed by steady drips of blood.

She sighs and pulls the binoculars back in, rolling up the window. She presses on the intercom button, leaving a bloody fingerprint behind.

"Drive." she says, and clicks the mic off. The car is soon driving away from Eden Academy, intentionally leaving the headlights turned off until they've driven a sufficient distance from the scene.

— — —

Chapter 1: End

— — —


Author's notes:

Woo! We're back! So much for playing in a different fandom for a bit.

Tried something different in this story. Maybe you noticed, maybe you didn't. I went for a present tense wording, my last fics were all in past tense. But I kept finding myself correcting my tense so much I decided to stop fighting it and stick with present. Let me know if it hurt your soul or if you didn't even care.

Comments and criticisms welcome. If you have words you don't want to post, or want to beta read, or even just chat, email me at lethalcottonswab at gmail dot com