Chrysalis Ch7: Suspicious Lead (pt2) (Patreon)

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“Because it’s your room, innit?” Ian folds his arms, looking down at Lloyd. “Or it was, anyway. The bed’s yours.  I’ve got the floor.”

“But you’re my guest.” Lloyd objects. “Meaning you should get the bed.
Hospitality rules, remember?”

They’ve been arguing like this since Lloyd returned from the bathroom.

He’d gone to release his wings from their bindings.   They would need a minute to recover from their crude bindings, and he had waited long enough.   Tenderly unwinding the sports bandage from around his torso, he began the process:  a slow ripple at first as they touched the open air, followed by a hesitant stretching and smoothing as they unfurled.  

As his wings did their work, he took the opportunity to consider what pjs he would change into.  Both his mother and his father had left a pair out for him to choose from.

Lloyd never fit his father’s clothes in the past, but now he all but swam in them. The overlarge sleep shirt hung on his body like draped fabric,  the pajama pants ballooned out from his waist and swallowed up his feet.

Alternatively, his mother’s clothes fit him uncomfortably well.   The pants hugged the natural curvature of his hips, and the built in support of the camisole, while doing nothing to conceal his newly shapely chest, was comforting in how it held him.

Begrudgingly he made a compromise: his father’s pajama bottoms and his mother’s camisole.   Self conscious of his appearance, he held Ian’s hoodie bundled in his arms.   Truthfully, it was his wings that he was most self conscious of.   After all these years of keeping them concealed, not just from Ian but from everyone, it felt alien to leave them out like this in front of anyone new.

He hesitated before entering the room, wondering how Ian would react seeing him in all of his… self, again.    But his concern was interrupted when he found Ian  already picking out a ‘comfortable’ spot on the floor.  Something he had made specifically clear wasn’t an option before leaving to change in the first place.

“Just take it. It’s a hospitality thing.” Lloyd waves a hand. “That’s very important for fairies.”

“Yeah?   And so what if I refuse?  You gonna get hiccups or somethin’?”

lloyd puffs out his cheeks.
“If you don’t accept I’ll...
…get hives!”

Ian’s eyes narrow.
“Don’t take the piss about this. I know you’re making that up.”

Lloyd snickers, his antenna curling with mischief. “No, you don’t.  But if you want to read up on it before you go to sleep, in the bed, there’s probably a book or two in the -
wait Ian NO - “

It’s too late. Ian scoops him up into his arms and wings start buffering the air with fluttering panic.   Unceremoniously Ian drops him onto the bed. Lloyd bounces slightly on the mattress, blinking in ruffled indignation, as Ian settles onto the floor.

“Just toss something at me if you start itching.” He yawns, shifting smugly under the blanket and flipping through some text messages on his phone.

Lloyd crawls sulkily under the blankets until only his head is visible. He leans over the side of the bed, watching Ian flip through his phone, the pale glow reflecting on his face. Lloyd's antennae twitch.

"How does that thing still have any charge? You're always on it half the night."

"I keep it plugged in." Ian says, half-paying attention to the conversation. "Under the counter. It can't actually hold much of a charge, but I want it on in case I need it. Trouble at home or something."

He clicks it off, setting it aside. Lloyd rolls over, his wings flattening under him as he looks up at the ceiling. He can see faint marks in the paint, left from blobs of putty that had once held glow in the dark stars. Long gone, now.

"That's smart. You like to think ahead, don't you?"

Ian settles in and looks sidelong up to the bed.
"Just a way of being. Gotta keep on top of some things.”

There’s a silence that stretches on between the two boys, before Ian breaks it, his voice hesitant. “Speaking of… how... you feelin’?   Any bit tired?”

Lloyd rolls over again, his profile disappearing from Ian’s view.
"I've been awake for two days. Mostly.  Who wouldn’t be exhausted?"

“So a ‘no’ izzit.”

Lloyd blinks at the wall, not answering the question. His eyes wide and staring. The curtain's been pulled shut, but it's not enough to keep faint traceries of light from sneaking into the room.  The light creeps closer and closer to his bed. Lloyd huddles down beneath the blankets.

"What about you? Aren’t you tired?"

"This is my usual.   Third shifters, both of us." Ian admits, shrugging. "... but, you know. It's been a pretty wild night."

Lloyd closes his eyes and lets out a long sigh.
"Yeah. It has."

Moments later, he's rolled over for a third time, back to looking off the edge of the bed at Ian.
"You did buy enough salt, right? You and Dad?"

Ian reaches up and pulls at the comforter, tugging it playfully around Lloyd's shoulder.

"You should have seen the cashier's face when we rolled up." Ian starts, before catching sight of the worry in Lloyd’s eyes. Ian sobers.

"Yeah. We got enough. You're safe. Your dad about bought the entire supply. He’s looking out for you mate. Him an’ me both.  Trust me, I ain’t going to let anyone so much as look at you wrong."

Noises filter in through the window. Songbirds. Dogs barking. Passing cars.
Ordinary sounds.

Lloyd tugs for the comforter back, pulling it up over his shoulder again.
"Okay."   He gives Ian a wan smile, lifting his wings slightly.  "Sorry.  I'm keeping you up."

“Who’s to say, really?”  Ian replies, closing his eyes and folding his arms behind his head.

Lloyd settles back against the pillows, closing his eyes. Off in the distance, someone laughs.  A short, barking laugh.    He’s pretty sure it’s not Neith.   Neith didn’t laugh like that.   But it’s not like Neith would be walking around laughing in public like that.   She’d probably be sneaking silently through the streets, looking for a way in, or sending one of her serpents to slip through a crack in the foundation.   Maybe in the siding, or through one of the win-

Something strikes the window and Lloyd jerks, his heart in his throat.   The thing flutters frantically a moment, regaining itself before flying off in a new direction.   A bird.   

Just a bird.

"Do you think they believe me?”  He asks Ian in a whisper.
“Mom and Dad.  About how bad this is?"

There's silence from the floor, before Ian shuffles and stands up.

“Alright.”  He says, standing a moment, then walking over and settling on the bed, about a foot or so away from Lloyd.  "... is this alright?"

Lloyd hesitates.   A flash of Astraea, sitting a foot or two away from him, flashes through his mind.  But only for a moment.

He nods, not saying a word. His wings emerge from under the blankets, settling on the comforter as Lloyd sits up, still holding Ian’s hoodie.  He clutches it like a child holding an oversized stuffed cat.  Ian settles near to Lloyd, tucking his right foot under his left thigh, and leans back.

"Lloyd, this is bad.   I think we all know it’s bad, yeah?    We’re gonna do our best… we’re taking it seriously.   Doin our best to keep spirits high but this is scary stuff.  Hard enough getting a PPO under normal circumstances."

Lloyd shakes his head quickly, holding up his hands.
“It’s just… I mean… I think you all know the danger.   We… have the salt for a reason.  The salt's good.  But…” Lloyd trails off, looking off into the middle distance lost for words.

“But it’s not solving anythin’,” Ian finishes the thought.  “Yeah?”

“Exactly!”  Lloyd interjects, finding the thought again,  “And the way Mum was talking...she says she wants to sleep on it, but I think she's already made up her mind. She’s trying to get me to stay here. She doesn't trust her."

He looks at the scale, lying on the end table. It's just possible for him to see the letters.

Ian shifts his weight a little, glancing over at the note.
"Well, alright. She doesn’t.  Do you?"

Lloyd snorts, pulling his legs up under the blankets and resting his chin on his knees.  "Everything I've read says it's stupid to trust the fae. Even when they tell the truth, there's always a catch. Some sort of trick or… unforeseen trouble.”

“But... the more I think about it..."
His wings stir again.
"...I just can't understand what she'd get by putting me...us, I guess...in danger. Not after how far she went to get away.”

Lloyd goes quiet, hugging his knees to his chest.
“I think I believe what she said about the market."

"So you think that's the right choice?” Ian asks. His tone is relaxed.  Reflective.

Lloyd cringes.
"...m...maybe? Yes? Yeah. I do. Or I think so anyway.  And just.. Knowing that…”  Lloyd says in a hurried flurry of words “...the longer I stay here, the closer they get. Not just to me. You and Mum and Dad, too.  When I could be GOING somewhere.  DOING something.   How can I wait if it puts all of you in danger? I can't do that, not if there's a better option.  Not to you guys.   You don’t deserve that.”

His words tumble over one another until coming to a halt, one final thought stumbling through
“I don’t think Mum’s going to see it that way, though."

He lowers his legs, looking anxiously at Ian.
"What… what do you think?"

Ian snorts out a laugh.
"I think we're going to the market."

Lloyd is taken aback by the simplicity of the response.  He was expecting more push back, or concern, or objection.    After all the talk of protecting and safety and being careful, it was odd to have Ian nonchalantly agree to such a dangerous plan.  Lloyd nods, a sick feeling twisting in his stomach. To be completely honest, it's not the answer he wants, but hearing it from someone else, it feels like a puzzle piece falling into place in his brain. Like there's no other option.

"So…
When do we leave?" Ian asks.

"It's got to be before night - wait,
we?"

Lloyd's wings flare in alarm. He shakes his head, his voice lowering to a frantic whisper.
"No. No. Absolutely not. Something tried to eat me. There's no way you're going there."

"There is no way I am NOT going there." Ian says matter-of-factly. "Not if that’s where yer goin.  If you get eaten, I get eaten. That simple innit."  He taps at the hoodie.  “Besides, I’m never getting this back if I let you walk out without me. Right?”

Lloyd looks away, not answering. Ian’s expression softens.
"Lloyd, do you know what it felt like when I found out you'd disappeared?"

That gets Lloyd’s attention. He looks up, antennae waving in alarm.
"That wasn't your fault, Ian. You tried to help. Okay?"

"Didn’t say it was, did I?" Ian’s voice has grown distant. Brittle, even, in a way that sends a chill through Lloyd. It hardly sounds like him at all. " I'm talking about how it felt after.”

Lloyd stirs, his hand lifting, then falling again as Ian keeps talking.
“Like...like I was so useless."

"You were just THERE and then you were GONE. Do you know how jarring that was?   The whole world continuing and me having to work just like you never existed.  You just - “
“Like who am I gonna tease about his dumb bug obsessions?”

Ian seems like he’s on the verge of tears.
“I was outside of it.   Outside of whatever happened to you.   A non player, and I hated that.  I don't want to feel that way again. I NEVER want to feel that way again. I don't want to be-”

Ian’s voice cuts out a moment.  He runs his hand over his face and banishes whatever seeds of tears were forming, breathing all his feelings out into a sigh.

“I can't imagine how it’s been for you, Lloyd. I'm not trying to say that it’s the same thing. But I can’t do that again."

Ian stands, then turns, towering over Lloyd.
“I won’t.  Even if that makes me selfish…
Even if you object.   I’m going with you.”

Lloyd looks quietly up at him. Completely still. There's something in that brittle voice. Something bruised and aching. It hurts to hear him like that.

"I don't think you're being selfish." Lloyd says, settling back on the bed. Trying not to wonder if his parents were going to feel anything like Ian did after finding out he’s left.

Again.

"Fine.”  Lloyd says with a sigh.  “We go together. We'll wait a little bit.  Until Mum and Dad are asleep. Then... we’ll go."

He slides out of bed, carefully getting to the floor. His eyes settle on the scale, bisected by a strip of light from the window.

“Help me find a pen and paper.  The least I can do is leave a note.”

+++

Ian stands at the end of the hallway, redressed in his street clothes, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He’s watching carefully as Lloyd tiptoes up to his parents’ closed door, a folded piece of paper in his hands, half-disappearing into the hoodie’s sleeves.

He crouches, preparing to leave it on the floor, then hesitates. He thinks about what Ian said.   About him just being gone, without a word.   Thinking about his parents finding the letter.   Imagines how they’ll feel.

The paper wavers in his hand, then he drops it.  Standing up, looking between it and the door. He raises his hand and knocks, his arm shaking.

The doorknob turns.
"Lloyd?"

His mother's standing in the doorway. Mr. Morgan’s behind her, rolling out of the bed. She gives Lloyd a look of sleepy confusion.

“I was just going to check the salt. Did you need - “
Her eyes wander to Ian and the bag he’s carrying, to the note Lloyd’s clutching. She draws in a horrified breath.

Lloyd’s heart leaps to his mouth. "Mum, I - "

“I didn’t think you were actually going to go.” She whispers, stepping back, her hand pressed to her mouth. Mr. Morgan sits up alarmingly quickly, crossing the room in three long strides. Lloyd shrinks into the hoodie, looking up at both of them. His throat aches.

“I have to.” He says, his voice unsteady. “I’m sorry. It’s the only way to fix this. You u-understand, right? She said - “

“How can you trust HER?”  Mrs. Morgan utters in a shuddering breath, her eyes shining and her voice cracking. “What if she’s lying? What if it’s a trick to make you more like her?”

Mr. Morgan hugs her, closing his eyes. Lloyd can see the slump in his shoulders. “Sara…”

“No. What if…” She coughs, wiping at her cheeks. “...w-what if the next time we see him...what if he’s all gone?”

“He won’t be. Because that’s still our child. The one we raised.” Mr. Morgan smiles sadly at Lloyd. “That’s right, isn’t it? No matter how many feelers you’ve got.”

Lloyd nods, swallowing past the lump in his throat. His mother hiccups and falls silent, holding on tightly to his father’s arm. Mr. Morgan takes an unsteady breath, looking out past Lloyd at Ian.

"Take care of him for us, would you? Try and keep…
keep his bug collection under control."

Ian nods gravely, adjusting his grip on the duffel bag. Lloyd steps a little closer, over the threshold.
“Dad...Mum, I’m…”

Mrs. Morgan slips free, crouching down to gather him up in a fierce hug. His father joins her, the two of them holding tight as he hugs back.

"Please...just tell us when you’re safe." She whispers. "As soon as you can."

Lloyd's eyes sting as he steps back, and he blinks rapidly.
"S-soon as I can. Just keep using the salt, and whatever you do, d-don't go out at night. Okay?"

"Safety first...?" She asks, readjusting her glasses. Lloyd coughs out a laugh, his face twisting into a smile.

"Not anymore."

He looks down at the crumpled note in his hand, thinking about Lyra and her scale.  Wondering what she'd been thinking when she left it.

Wondering if she had anyone she'd said goodbye to.
"But let's make it a close second."


continue reading ->

++++

Look forward to seeing Lloyd and Ian's big return to the market Friday Nov 12th!
When nothing bad will ever happen again  (o˘◡˘o)

I love how we get a quiet moment this time around, with Ian being surprisingly good at handling traumatized peeps.  I've always liked those quiet moments after a big event when you can just TALK to people about all the crazy stuff that has happened.

That said, it's been a good respite back at the Morgan's but I'm really looking forward to getting back to the market and fae shenanigans.

See ya'll there!
and Happy Spooktober everyone!