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Zachary wrapped his arms around Cas again, kissing his cheek lightly. Gloria stood, looking at Serna a moment before going over and taking the handles of the wheelchair. Serna held Nix's hand in turn. She led them out of the room, keeping herself between Nix and the bathroom. Gloria pushed Zachary and Cas behind, moving to keep up. Serna stopped by the closet on the way out, pulling out big warm coats for Cas and Nix.
They both pulled them on and Nix returned to Serna's side, his ears turned back a bit. "H-How far away is your home, ma'am…?" Nix asked meekly, holding a bit tighter to her hand as he asked. Cas closed his eyes and buried his face in Zachary's shoulder, trembling lightly.
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"It's far," Serna admitted. "Is that good for you?" She held Nix's hand, rubbing the back with her thumb. "I can carry you if you want, sweetie." Zachary rubbed Cas's head, kissing him lightly again.
Nix nodded, quietly holding his arms up to Serna. He liked being carried around anyways, so he wouldn't mind the help. Cas gently returned the kiss before hiding his face again.
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Serna carefully picked Nix up, holding him to her side. She held both arms around him, rubbing his back gently. She moved to leave, carrying Nix outside. Gloria pushed the other two behind, keeping as close to Serna as she could manage. Zachary ran his fingers through Cas's hair. They'd promised Cas he would be safe in this house, but now they were fleeing it. For the reasons he'd come here in the first place.
Nix huddled closer to Serna when they headed outside, shivering a bit at the cold despite his big coat. He curled his tail around himself and exhaled shakily. Cas shivered as well, clinging tightly to Zachary.
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Zachary wrapped his arms around Cas as best he could to keep the other warm, kissing his head occasionally. He just wanted to keep Cas safe. Serna, thankfully, was just as much of a personal heater as Halm, if not more. She led them down the main pathway for quite some time.
Nix eventually drifted off into a light sleep in Serna's arms, soothed by the goddess's warmth. He kept his tail curled around her arm so it wouldn't get in the way. Cas stayed silent during the entire trip, mostly keeping his face hidden in Zachary's shoulder.
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Serna stayed quiet as they walked, rubbing Nix's back gently as he slept. Eventually they arrived. It was a homely place, except for the large laboratory connected to it. Serna took one hand from Nix and opened the door. Gloria pushed Zachary and Cas inside.
Nix stirred a bit when the door opened, but he didn't quite wake up. Cas sighed softly in relief when they entered the warmth of the house and relaxed considerably, although he was still noticeably shivering.
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Serna stepped in behind them, closing the door.
"I'll get your rooms ready," she said. "Why don't you wait it here to warm up a bit?" She stepped away, still holding Nix. Gloria brought Zachary and Cas to the couch, then grabbed the blanket from it and offered it to Cas.
"O-Okay… thank you, ma'am…" Cas curled up in Zachary's lap with the blanket wrapped tightly around himself. Nix yawned a bit and nuzzled into Serna sleepily, tear tracks staining his pale cheeks.
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Zachary kissed Cas again, keeping him so close. Gloria sat down on the couch, worried looking. Serna gently reached up to wipe Nix's cheeks. She then touched the wall of her hallway, making two new rooms. One for Cas and Zachary, the other for Nix.
Cas's skin was freezing to the touch and he was still shivering, sticking as close to Zachary as he could. "I-I dunno how you guys aren't freezing…" He whispered. Nix held tightly to Serna, purring weakly when she touched his face.
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Zachary let out a soft sigh. He was used to it. And Gloria was a soul, the temperature didn't really affect them. Zachary wrapped the blanket tighter around Cas, slipping his own warmer hand in to rest against Cas's chest. Not as warm are the others, but still warmer than most. Serna cupped Nix's head when she finished, moving back out to the living room.
Cas sighed shakily, burying his face into Zachary's neck to try and steal his warmth. Nix was somewhat awake by now, but still very noticeably sleepy. He was drained from all the crying.
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Zachary rested his head against Cas's, humming faintly. Serna scratched Nix's head lightly, bringing him out to the living room and sitting down with him.
Cas looked up at Serna shyly, still shivering. Nix purred a bit when the goddess started petting him, closing his eyes and leaning into her hand. "H-How long can we stay here, ma'am?" Cas asked meekly.
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"You can stay as long as you need to, sweetie. I'm not gonna be kicking you out anytime soon." Serna looked over at Cas, noting how he was shivering.
"Do you want to come over here? I can help you warm up." Serna patted the seat beside her. She still kept petting Nix, holding him close.
"B-But I don't wanna leave Zachary…" Cas replied quietly, holding tightly to Zachary. "Halm hurt him too." He rested his head on the other's shoulder and tightened his grip on the blanket, still shivering.
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Serna's eyebrows drew together. She turned to look at Zachary. He looked up at she with his broken eyes, and she let out a long breath.
"So that's why you're like this…" She gently reached out to cup Zachary's chin, and he leaned into her hand, closing his eyes. He nodded a bit.
"I-I don't know what he did to him…" Cas said weakly. "But he… h-he hurt him, and I'm trying to help him get better. I dunno how to help, though… we're working on talking right now." He gently kissed Zachary.
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Serna was caught off guard when Cas kissed Zachary, and even more so when Zachary kissed back.
"I… I know what he did, darling, but I don't think it's a good idea to tell you." Especially with the look Zachary gave her, pleading with her not to.
"But I can tell you it was an accident." She moved over to the side of the couch, bringing Nix with her.
Cas sighed softly and nodded, huddling closer to Zachary. "B-But he still hurt him… look what he did to him! H-He can't walk!" He whimpered, hugging Zachary tight. "Or talk much at all… he can only really say one thing from what we've found…"
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"I see… Which word is it, dear?" Zachary hesitated a moment.
"L… Love." He kissed Cas's head gently, tightening his grip on the boy. Serna closed her eyes a moment.
Cas smiled softly and returned the kiss, seeming pleased. "He's getting better at it too. We're still working on it, though. It's encouraging, though… I really think he'll be able to get better."
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Serna nodded, watching as Zachary leaned into the kiss.
"Yes, it is. He should be able of form simple sentences soon." She let out a small breath, concerned.
"Is it alright if I talk to Zachary alone for a bi" she asked of Cas.
"Oh! Um… yeah, sure, I'll just… go into the bedroom…" Cas replied awkwardly, wrapping himself up in his blanket and wandering out of the room. Nix yawned and huddled closer to Serna.
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Serna ran her fingers through Nix's hair once, turning to Zachary with a stern look.
"I'm disappointed in you," she said, voice as stern as her eyes. "That boy couldn't be more than twelve!" Zachary tried to interject, but Serna stopped him.
"I expected more from you, especially knowing what happened to your sister."
Nix looked up at Serna, a bit confused before he remembered how young Cas looked. "Um… Miss Serna?" He asked softly. "Cas isn't twelve years old." He fidgeted a bit, curling his tail around himself.
