"Why she gotta make me go?" Nix asked weakly. "What does she care? H-Halm… he… he deserves to be alone, right?"
Big Brother: Gay Edition (MATURE, Enter at own risk!)
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"He does," Serna said softly. "B-But… Mother makes the rules." Serna shivered, holding Nix tighter to herself.
"But the rules are dumb… but when I said that, she beat us up." Nix rubbed at his teary eyes, shaking violently.
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Serna stiffened a bit, looking around once.
"Please…" She pleaded softly. "Don't say things like that. She- she could still be listening." Serna carried Nix and Derlik into the lab, setting about to set up the machines to heal the two.
Nix huffed a bit and buried his face in Serna's chest. "You guys shouldn't have to be so afraid of her…"
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"I-I know… but it's what she wants." Serna set Nix down gently, working on getting Derlik fixed up first. He was much worse off, after all. She worked quietly, hands shaking just slightly.
"Why can't you guys do anything about it? I mean, you're all gods, so… all your power combined would be pretty powerful."
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"It would be like nine humans teaming up to stop me. It just wouldn't work…" Serna let out a soft sigh.
Nix sighed a bit. "But you guys are all miserable and terrified all the time… it's not healthy."
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"Perhaps," Serna said softly. "But it's our life. We can't change it." Serna turned to Nix, lightly placing her hand on his head.
"We're used to it, don't worry sugar."
"But you shouldn't have to be used to it. Cas's dad was like that and look how well that fared for him."
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Serna shrugged again.
"Unlike Cas… we truly have no way out."
Nix sighed softly and huddled closer to Serna. "B-But I don't wanna go…"
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"I know, baby, I know." Serna rubbed Nix's back, resting her head on his.
"We're going to keep you safe…"
"W-Will you stay in the house with me?" Nix asked weakly. "All of you? I don't wanna be stuck there alone…"
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"I… I can't," Serna said softly. "But I'm sure Derlik can. And Cas and Zachary will stay with you too, and I'll come by every day, I promise." Derlik was almost healed by now, and when the machine finally finished, Derlik slowly sat up. He had his hands in his lap, glancing up at Nix. He teared up a bit when he saw the cat's injuries, standing and coming over.
Nix nodded weakly and rubbed at his eyes, looking up at Derlik when he came over. He shifted over to the other's arms and clung to him, choking on his sobs.
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Derlik held Nix tightly to himself, his own tears falling with a choked back sob.
"I- I'm so sorry," he said softly, not even knowing about Nix having to go back.
"I- I'm so sorry she h-hurt you…"
"It's not your f-fault…" Nix whispered weakly. "It's m— m-mine… and she's— m-making me— g-go back to H— H-Halm…"
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Derlik stiffened, and he held back a sob.
"N-No!" He said, holding Nix close to himself. "No, n-no, you can't- Nix, I can't- let you go!" Derlik was trembling, a defeated tone to his voice. He knew there was nothing he could do.
Nix hiccuped a few times. "W-Will you go— with me?" He asked weakly. "I-I'm scared… I don't— I don't— w-wanna go…"
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"I– I'll go with you," Derlik promised softly. He tucked Nix away securely in his grasp, head resting on Nix's.
"I'm not– not going to let you face this alone."
"T-Thank you…" Nix buried his face in Derlik's chest, trembling violently. "W-Why she gotta make me— g-go back…?"
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"I… I don't know." Derlik sniffled, trying not to cry anymore. "But- w-what I do know is that I won't let Halm lay a finger on you."
Nix nodded weakly as he clung tighter to Derlik. "I-I'm scared…" He whispered again. "I don't wanna go back… it's not safe there."
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"I– I know…" Derlik gripped Nix tightly. "I'm going to keep you safe," Derlik trailed off, crying.
"T-Thanks…" Nix whispered, hiccuping a few more times. "We gotta be there in three days or she'll do something bad…"
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Derlik frowned deeply, nuzzling Nix's head gently.
"I… then we'll take advantage of that time."
Nix nodded a bit. "I wanna stay here as long as I can… g-gotta prepare myself to go back…"
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"We'll help you," Derlik said softly. He carried Nix out of the lab, still holding him close.