Chapter Text
The breeze ruffled through the curtains, and made the smell wash over him - his gagged and curled in on himself, the stench was almost too much to bare - the stench of the dead bodies. Piled up in the corner of the room - bits just thrown there, discarded not disposed of properly. He shifted slowly, trying to get away but there really wasn't anywhere that he could go - he breathed out harshly, and Arne shifted onto his side, the metal shackles around his ankles held him to the bed. He couldn't go anywhere even if he wanted too.
Tears slid down his face - leaving track marks in the filth on his skin. His hair was filthy too - he didn't really even know what it was that was in his hair. Blood? Dirt?
He smelt so bad, he didn't even want to think about it - he had strange dreams, dreams of tearing things apart - dreams of a boy, a pretty boy with big brown eyes - eyes that were so sad. A boy that had spoken to him - told him he'd help him - help him to get free. Let him go.
Was it just a dream?
Arne retched, dry heaved and he vomited onto the floor beside the rickety mattress which made the iron bed screech against the floor with the violent movement - when he stared down at the mess on the floor - he could see bloody mess in the vomit, what looked like undigested meat? Flesh - had he tried to eat flesh? Arne's horror filled eyes stared over at the pile of bits - the bodies in the corner. Did I do that? Arne let out a harsh exhale, panic making his heart thump erratically in his chest. It was like being trapped in a nightmare that he couldn't get out of.
He collapsed back against the mattress and stared up at the ceiling - the water stains, the black creep of mold - the paper peeling off the walls. Arne couldn't remember things properly, he couldn't remember who he was, only his name.
Arne Skógr. I am Arne Skógr.
That was it - that was all he could remember. He didn't know how old he was, where he came from - he couldn't remember. Only his name, and was that really even his name? He was mostly naked, apart from a pair of threadbare underwear, that were stained dirty - everything was so dirty. He didn't even know how long he'd been in this room for - or where the room was. He breathed out harshly, and wiped at his face, his body was too thin - skin stretched over bone. He could see his hip bones, where he had tiny metal balls jutting out of his skin. But Arne never remembered how they got there - he didn't remember the tattoos he had either.
They were intricate strange patterns tattooed along his hips that if he twisted went around his lower back as well. He had a wild unkept beard on his face - his hair ratty and dirty, curls - he laid there - and heard nothing, no other sounds - apart from the odd, creaking as the building shifted around him. Tears slowly tracked down his face again and Arne breathed out harshly, he had another flash in his mind - another memory?
Another dream?
He'd been kept in a cage, a large cage - that was where he'd see him... seen the boy - the boy with the saddest eyes Arne had ever seen.
One of the Royals..
He didn't know why that came into his mind, he had no idea why - he could only see that boys face, was he even a boy? Arne didn't know, but he could see his face - see his eyes, the sadness in them - He had the strangest memory, as if he had been in a fog of the boy talking to him. But he couldn't remember what the boy had said. He didn't know how long ago that had happened, if it had even been real.
I will help you, I'll protect you .. don't be frightened, Arne.. my name is Stevie.
His name had been something else, once.. a long time ago. Arne didn't know how he knew that or why - but he did. It was like a whisper in the back of his mind, like something that called to him - Shardei..
Arne breathed out harshly, and tried to tug his legs free from the restraints - getting almost desperate with it, he let out an almost animalistic scream as he lost himself to the madness of being held in captivity - Arne screamed, and screamed - trying to get his legs free, and all he did was tear the skin from his legs. They were bleeding, and it was painful - and he wasn't going anywhere.
He was going no place, except deeper into Hell.
He could vaguely recall two others in the cages next to him - only, they hadn't been like him - they'd been the ones that had captured him in the first place? At least he thought maybe they were? Arne hit at his head, "Remember, why can't you remember who you are.." His voice was raspy soft, almost non existent because of his screaming. It hurt to speak - he was so thirsty, hunger wasn't something he even thought about anymore these days. But thirst.. he was so thirsty.
Arne breathed out harshly again, and he stared at the peeling paper on the wall beside him - "Nobody is coming for you, nobody is going to help you.. nobody is going to p-protect you.." He whispered the words, tears blurring his vision - Arne let his eyes close - Please.. please just let me die... let me die?
He didn't know who he was pleading with, who he was asking to let him die.. but Arne wanted death to come.. he wanted to die.
~***~
Steve was with Astar, Kaj and Shane in the market - he was standing - staring into space, when he saw Astar looking at the board where people hung all the notices and Astar said, "How sad.. that someone's son is missing, they put a notice on here.. nobody has taken the tab at the bottom with the number."
Steve shifted closer - and he stared at the piece of paper, tears welled up in his eyes and he let out a soft gasp.
Astar looked at him and said softly, "Stevie? What is it?"
"It's.. him, it's Arne.. it looks.." Steve read the piece of paper. Arne Skógr, 16 years old - Missing - He was only a Baby. Steve let out a shaky exhale, tears slid down his face and Astar said "You know this boy Stevie?" He curled his fingers against Steve's face gently.
Steve said hoarsely "It.. he was at the warehouse - he was in the c-cages, with the guys.. with the guys that Heahmund and Shane caught the ones that killed Ren and Daisy, only he said he d-didn't do it.. that he was taken there. I.. I felt something Astar, something.. I tried to help him.."
Tears slid down Steve's face - Kaj and Shane both came up behind them, and Astar said softly "Stevie.." Steve tore the number off the bottom and he said - "I need to find him, I need to find him!" He stalked out of the store, and Kaj stared at Astar - then at the picture of the boy.
Arne looked nothing like the guy that Steve and Eddie had seen - it was him, only he was bigger, less unkempt - in the photo he was clean shaven, smiling and bright. The Arne they'd seen locked up in the cages?
He'd been thinner, muscled - wasted away in comparison - wild and he was definitely not a Human. The smiling happy young man in the photo on the Missing Poster? He definitely looked Human, not anything like Arne looked now.
Kaj looked at Astar, and Shane said - "What the hell is going on Mor?"
Kaj said softly, "I don't know.. but Stevie clearly needs to find this guy.." They went outside, climbed into Steve's truck - Steve was smoking a cigarette, his hands shaking and Kaj said softly, "Wolfie.. that's the same boy? Are you sure?"
Steve stared at Kaj, with haunted scared eyes and he whispered "Yes.. yes its him - only something terrible has happened, something really fucking bad.. I need to find him."
Astar had taken the poster off the board - he looked at Shane, "We need to know where you found them - him included." Astar asked.
Shane raked his fingers through his hair and he said - "It was at the shitty fucking compound, if you wanna call it that - where we found Ruiz, you're saying this fella wasn't part of it? That he's been taken by.. them in the first place Stevie?"
Steve said softly, "I don't know - but he's been missing for a year according to that poster.. so he'd be seventeen now? I'm telling you, its him - its him and we hafta find him." Tears welled up in Steve's eyes again - "He was so frightened, but he ran away - he didn't ..."
Kaj reached out and he said softly, "We'll find him, or we'll keep trying until we do.. maybe we can get Jae and Robbie to help they're tribal cops right.. maybe they can help us." Steve nodded, wiping his face and Shane said - "You said that the other two got away, they wouldn't be daft enough to go back to Ruiz's compound would they? We could go there and have a look around?"
Astar said with a rasp in his voice - "This boy.. you said he was a Pale One?"
Steve nodded - "I.. think so, I mean.." He just looked haunted, and slightly confused - and Kaj looked at Astar - then at Shane - "We'll go and have a look at Ruiz's compound, but we'll swing by and talk to Robbie and Jae at the station."
~***~
Steve breathed out shakily as he slid out of the truck - the compound was a rundown shit hole - gross looking buildings lined up, a mangy looking cat hissed at them - and ran away. Jadea, Robin and Weyland Jennings had all come with them, Kaj was holding Steve's hand - and Astar was right beside them.
Shane said quietly, "This place gives me the fucking heebie jeebies." He wasn't wrong - it just felt off.
Shane went off in the direction of the house - and Robin went with him, the two of them went inside - and Steve saw another house - hidden - it was covered in over grown Kudzu, and there was an awful smell coming from the building - from inside the other house that Robin and Shane went into? Shane suddenly came out and he said, "We've.. found something really fucking disturbing.."
Robin came outside, and then she started dry heaving - vomiting into the long over-grown grass.
Shane was holding her - and he looked like he was going to throw up as well. Astar went to walk inside, and Shane said, "Aye Far.. don't, don't go in there.." Astar stared at Shane, who shook his head - and Astar just frowned but he went inside anyway - and Shane closed his eyes tightly.
"We didn't really look around when we came here.. when we found Ruiz and Trey I think his name was.. or the boy from the poster.." Shane said quietly.
"They've been using this place as a breeding pit." Robin rasped out - tears on her face - Jadea paled and said "What.. What's a breeding p-pit.."
Robin said shakily, "Jae.. a breeding pit, they keep Uratha, mothers here, breed them.. probably rape them - get them pregnant and take their pups so they can sell them." Astar came back out of the house - his eyes were blazing - and he was breathing harshly.
Jadea said softly, tearfully "Astar?"
He just bent over - and closed his eyes tightly - Astar's gaze met Kaj's - and then he moved, faster than any of them could blink - till he was in front of Steve - "Nej... you're not going in here. You stay out here, in case it isn't safe. I will go in."
Steve stared up at Astar - and he whispered, "What was in the house?"
Astar whispered, "Photos, there looks to be hundreds of them - mothers - pups, probably sold onto someone else. But there is also video recorders set up in some of the rooms. I.. think they film torturing them - there are restraints, things like that. Horrible things Stevie."
Steve's eyes welled up and he whispered, "Estarlian.. he knows about t-this.." It wasn't a question, and Astar just slipped silently into the building behind him.
Kaj came and gently pulled Steve way - they stood with Jadea, Robin and Shane. Astar came out - carrying a small underweight girl in his arms, "She's alive - but very weak, Uratha.. one of us. I will keep searching all of these buildings." Astar went into each out building - he went into the last one - and when he opened the door, all of them were gagging at the stench - at the god awful smell of death and decay. Astar went inside - and all of them lifted their heads at the sound of the screams.
Steve thought those screams would haunt him for the rest of his days - they were broken, animalistic screams - the sound wasn't like anything any of them had ever heard before.
Kaj went into the building as well - and Steve breathed out shakily, watching as Robin wrapped the girl in a blanket from her truck. She was so tiny, probably only fourteen or fifteen years old at the most. Robin said hoarsely, "She really needs to be at the hospital now.."
Astar came out of the building - and Steve's heart pounded in his chest - Astar was carrying Arne - he had Arne in his arms, he was filthy - absolutely filthy - and painfully thin, Steve had known he'd been thin - but he didn't realize just how much. His hair was matted with blood - his skin smeared with what looked like blood and dirt.
Astar said, "You take the girl to the hospital? We'll take him." Steve said shakily, "We.. shouldn't take them to the hospital, .. whoever was keeping them here, will know if we take them to the hospital they won't be safe? We can get Dustin, Andy.. even Erica.. they're all Doctors.. even Billy .. I know he's a vet. but he's still a healer.. we can take care of them ourselves?"
Astar stared at Steve, and Kaj said quietly - "Stevie is right.. it isn't safe, and we don't know how safe it is for either of them to be in a public place."
Robin said softly, "Where are we going to go, where are we going to take them?" Steve said softly, "Our new house. We'll take them to our new house.. or.. I now its horrible, but Ubbe's? Its been protected, its big - we can keep them separated from everyone else, Lets take them to Ubbe's.. he's powerful, he can help us - they'll be safe there and he will know what to do too.. please?"
Astar said quietly, "Alright.. Ubbe's it is." He looked at Robin and Jadea, "Ubbe's.." The girls both nodded, and Shane lifted up the girl - "Lets get the hell out of here." Shane said quietly.
Robin said quietly, "Wait.." She ran back into the house, and came out with a box full of stuff she'd taken. "I want evidence." She said quietly, putting it into the trunk of the truck. Steve sat in the back seat - he cradled Arne in his arms, who had seemingly passed out. Kaj was driving Steve's truck, and Astar was in the passenger seat.
Kaj drove silently, glancing into the rearview mirror - watching Steve, he felt a strange ache - a pull as he watched Steve cry for this boy, a boy from a missing poster - a boy that Steve didn't even know, but a boy.. that Steve loved and wanted to protect already.
Kaj knew, he knew that the was something more happening - even if they didn't completely understand what that was yet.
If Steve wanted to protect this boy, if he'd wanted to since the moment he met him? There was a reason for it. Kaj sped up - and he drove faster.
~***~
Ubbe breathed out slowly, but he was strangely calm - Steve's eyes haunted as they watched Astar and Shane bring both the boy from Steve's poster, and the tiny girl into the house. Robin had already left to go and get Dustin, Remy and Billy - as well as Erica and they took the girl into one of the bedrooms at the end of the upper level, and put Arne in the one on the other side.
Robin and Jadea were with the girl, her name was El, she was sixteen years old and had been taken from the street in the middle of the night - after she'd been drugged. She was terrified, and shaken but she said that she hadn't been hurt too badly, that the guys that took her disappeared - she couldn't get away because she'd been chained up to the bed, when Astar had freed her.
Small blessings - she wasn't hurt - she'd been taken a week before Shane and the pack from the lot had captured Matt Ruiz and Trey. The girls took her into the bathroom, where they helped her get cleaned up - into fresh clothes. El sat quietly on the sofa, and said softly that she had nobody looking for her. She was a runaway - her parents were both dead, junkies.
Ubbe said quietly, "Go and get something to eat and drink, then if you feel like it? You're more than welcome to stay here with us, with me and Jeffy - our family, Sara and Gareth they live downstairs in the lower house.. but you're more than welcome we have plenty of room."
Robin's eyes welled up and Jadea said softly, "You're such a sweetheart Papi."
Ubbe said quietly, "She needs us - maybe she was found and placed with us because its meant to be."
El whispered to Ubbe, "Thank you Ubbe, I.." Tears welled up in her eyes, and Ubbe said softly, "Hey.. you don't have to thank me. Let us take care of you."
El cuddled him, then she cuddled Steve, Astar and Kaj - before she went off with Jae and Robin - the girls making her some food. El sat with them, and Gwennie stared at her with her big blue eyes, then she went and stood in the big window - Astar knelt down beside Gwennie, he said softly, "What are you doing?"
Ubbe knew what she was doing - and so he wasn't at all surprised when she said softly, "Mamá."
Steve got all teary and Astar said softly, "You are waiting for Mama to come home?" Gwennie sat down in front of the window - she knew it was where she could see Jeff come back.
Jadea said softly - ".. She really, really loves Jeffy.."
Ubbe nodded and he murmured, "Yeah.. she really does - thinks he hung the moon.." He let out a soft little laugh, and Astar scooped Gwennie up - he said softly, "You should draw a picture for Mama?" He wandered off, and Ubbe looked at Kaj - "He's good with her.."
Kaj smiled, and Steve said softly - "Okay.. okay so I'm going to go and.. check on Arne.." He looked anxious and Ubbe said quietly - "Do you want me or Kaj to go with you?" Steve shook his head - then he looked at Kaj, "Maybe.. you could stand outside the door Spooky?"
Kaj murmured, "Ja.. I can do that Baby.."
Ubbe watched them head back up the stairs - Jadea bit her lip, she raked her fingers through her hair - and Ubbe breathed out slowly. He poked his head into the living room - where there was still a window for Gwennie to look out of, but she was sitting at the little pink table they'd got her - drawing pictures, and Astar was sitting there - like he was keeping watch over her.
Ubbe realized, that its because he was.
Astar lifted his gaze, he gave Ubbe a smile, he said - "She doesn't need to get upset about everything that's happening around her ja? Pictures is good." He nodded yes, Astar patted the spot on the sofa next to him - Ubbe came and sat down, Astar said quietly - "...She's drawing pictures for you too Papa."
Gwennie said softly, "Tito Astar." Astar let out a soft little rumble purr, and he said softly, "Ja? You draw one for me?" He made a silly face, and then Astar pulled a flower from behind his own ear - Gwennie gasped - Ubbe laughed softly, as Astar put if behind her ear, Gwennie giggled but then gave him a sad face and said softly, "Papá sad, Mamá kiss.. bad Gem."
Astar raised his eyebrow, and Ubbe shrugged - pretending he didn't know what she meant - when he did know - the night before, he'd been going to put Gwennie to bed - and they'd seen Gem kissing Jeff before he left. It had pissed him off - it had hurt, and he'd been trying not to think about it. About Jeff and Gem kissing him - because it wasn't really any of his business. Sure him and Jeff had messed around.. and yeah.. Ubbe wanted too do it again, but it wasn't probably going to happen again. Jeff was probably going to get back together with Gem - and Ubbe would just go back to doing what he did best. Pretending like he'd always done before.
"You are sad?" Astar asked him and Ubbe said - "Huh? What no.. I'm fine... what are you talking about.." His voice gruff - Astar just stared at him quietly, they both lifted their head - as they heard screaming, animalistic screams.
Gwennie whimpered, "Papá?" Ubbe scooped her up, and he said soothingly "It's okay Baby.." She hid her face against his chest and whispered tearfully, "Mamá?"
Astar got up as Jadea, Robin, Erica and El came into the living room - Jadea shut the door - she said softly "Billy, Andy and Dustin are here - Erica is going to give El a proper look over.."
Erica said gently, "It's okay sweetie, its just to make sure you're okay.."
El said softly, "It's okay, I understand.."
Erica said softly "Robin and Jadea can come too if you want?"
El said softly, "Please?" They left the room together - and Astar said softly "Why.. do people abandon their pups, I.. d-don't understand." He strangely, curled his fingers into Ubbe's hair - Ubbe felt tears in his eyes as he closed them.
Astar said quietly, "I'm sorry.. that your mother, abandoned you and Jeffy... that Gwennie's mother abandoned her.. but? Gwennie has you, and she has Jeffy.. Jeffy will love her, he'll be a better Mama." He whispered the last part if felt like.
Ubbe breathed out slightly shakily, Gwennie curled her fingers against his face - she said softly, "Te quiero Papá." Ubbe nuzzled his face against hers and he murmured "I love you too my angel."
Astar stroked Gwennie's hair and he stared out the window, he said "Oh my goodness! Look! Mama is home!"
Both of them laughed as Gwennie squealed out - "Mamá!!??" She went to the window and pressed herself up to the glass - waving furiously at Jeff, who laughed and waved back at the three of them - then he blew them kisses. Then Jeff was coming inside - and Gwennie was bouncing excitedly.
Kaj came back down stairs - along with Billy, Billy said softly - "Andy and Dustin.. said that he's severely underweight, he's.. been given drugs, he's been abused most probably raped - given the shit you guys discovered out there.. its probably stuff of nightmares.."
Kaj was just staring out the windows - his body tense, Ubbe gently touched his shoulder - Kaj whispered, "If.. Steve hadn't been so pressed - if Astar hadn't seen that poster." Ubbe pulled Kaj into a hug, and he rest his head against Ubbe's shoulder - "He's just a kid, just a kid.. and he's been hurt.. for probably the last two years. It's so f-fucked up."
Jeffy came into the kitchen and he said softly "Hey everyone.." He saw Ubbe and Kaj - and he gave Kaj a hug - "You look so sad?" Jeffy said softly - Kaj explained to him why - and what was happening, and Jeff just looked like he wanted to cry. He scooped Gwennie up as she came toddling over to him - picture in hand. "Oh.. Gracias, mi ángel.. look.. we'll put it on the fridge!"
It was of course Mamá, Gwennie as fairies.. and Papá.
Kaj let out a soft little rumble and Gwennie said, "Unca Kaj.. Unca Biby!! Kiss!!"
Billy laughed softly and kissed Kaj, Gwennie giggled happily - she saw Jadea, and pouted - "Hayman? Gone?" Jadea let out a soft laugh, a blush in her face and she said "Si.. Heahmund not here."
Gwennie sighed a big sigh - "Hayman kiss Jae?! KISS!"
Ubbe laughed softly, and he winked at Jadea as he said "She's like a little matchmaker." Jadea laughed softly - and she said, "She is huh.." Ubbe nodded, and then of course Gwennie said "Mamá! Papá! Kiss! Kiss!"
Jeff went all red, and Ubbe kissed Jeff's cheek - Jadea smirked and said, "Matchmaker.."
Ubbe looked at Jadea, and she just looked at him from under her lashes - Jeff said softly, "Uh.. so is the girl - El? Is she okay? She's gonna stay here Ubbe? We'll take care of her?"
Jadea smiled softly, and Ubbe said "Yeah.. we'll take care of her ja?" Jeff nodded, and he said softly "Poor little thing.." He bit his lip and Jadea curled her arm around him, Jeff snuggled into her side and he said softly "I'm sorry I got all bitchy the other night."
"It's okay Mama.. hmm you're okay." Jadea said softly, Gwennie kissed Jadea and said "Jae love Mamá?"
Jadea laughed softly, "Si! Jae loves Mamá.." Gwennie giggled, "I love Mamá, love Mamá!" She kissed Jeffy, and said softly "Mi madre.." Jadea said softly, "You're melting my heart Gwennie."
Dustin and Remy came into the room after coming downstairs, "He's definitely different, something seems different." Remy said to Dustin, and Dustin said - "But he's not.. Uratha? Right?"
Remy said, "I'm not sure what he is.." Everyone just looked at them - Remy said - "I think he's something else, something I can't.. it doesn't make sense to me but its like something is inside this kid - its inside him, and its what makes him.. what we can't put our finger on."
"It's like he's Human, and something is asleep inside him.." Dustin said quietly, "Maybe the trauma.. makes whatever he is asleep?"
Remy's voice was grit - he drawled softly, "It could be that, definitely could be that - Maybe I don't wanna say this - because its awful, but maybe its forced his Wolf to sleep, to die for better lack of a word.. or its something else.."
"Something inside him?" Ubbe asked - and Remy nodded - "Like possessing him? His body?" Ubbe asked again - Remy said quietly, "I don't know Ubbe, maybe you should go and see him."
Erica, Robin and El came into the kitchen and Ubbe said softly, "El? Baby girl this is Jeffy.. he's my baby brother.."
Gwennie said sweetly, "Mamá!" El let out a soft little giggle, Gwennie broke off a piece of her cookie, and held it out for El - she said softly, "Thank you." Gwennie got all shy, then she kissed Tito - but held him out to El too - Jeff approached El slowly, and he said softly, "Hi Sweetpea, she never gives Tito to anyone.. she wants to make you feel better."
El's eyes welled up, and Jeff said softly, "You wanna hug Baby girl?" She nodded, all shy and Jeff wrapped his arms around her Gwennie said softly, "Mi mamá, sé tu mamá también.." (My Mama, be your mama too) Jeff scooped Gwennie up, and he said softly to El, "Come with me hmm? Well get you all settled in, you can have a sleep if your tired?"
Jadea said softly, "He's.. just so sweet, goddamn it I'm gonna cry and be a girl again."
Ubbe smiled softly, and Erica said quietly - "She's okay, physically.. emotionally I think its gonna be tough, but that isn't just from this. Poor wee thing, she.. just needs this, love? She needs a lot of love, and she needs family."
Kaj said quietly, "Then she's with the right people ja? We'll all take care of her." Ubbe said softly, his voice gruff, "Ja. we will - we'll take care of both of them.. El and Arne.."
Astar curled his arms around Kaj and Billy said - "Stevie's still up there with him?"
Dustin nodded, and Remy said quietly - "He's.. he doesn't wanna leave him." Dustin said "He's.. really attached to this kid, its.. Stevie seems really effected."
Ubbe gently stroked Billy and Kaj's hair - then Astar's before he said to Dustin - "I'm going to go and.. talk to him."
He went upstairs, and he saw Jeff in the bedroom with El - she was curled up in the old squeaky mattress bed - bundled up under a mountain of blankets, and Gwennie was in there with her. Jeff was stroking her hair and talking softly to them both, telling them a story no less. Jeff looked up, and Ubbe gave him a smile and Jeff smiled back at him. Ubbe carried on up the hallway - to the room where he knew Steve was with Arne.
When he walked in? Ubbe felt an ache in the pit of his stomach - Steve let out a soft little noise in his throat, Arne was curled into Steve - clinging onto him, like he was scared to let go. Ubbe shut the door quietly and Steve lifted his head - his face was wet with tears, and Ubbe said softly "Stevie.." Steve had his arms around Arne? But he was pulling pain from his body, the black traveling up his arms, and Steve?
Steve was in pain because of it.
"Stevie, you need to let go.." Ubbe said quietly, Steve just stared up at Ubbe - and he said tearfully, "I c-can't he's in pain, I can't Ubbe."
Ubbe gently pulled Steve's hands free - and Steve let out a sob, he curled his arms around himself - Ubbe rest his forehead against Steve's, he said softly - "I'll take it, give it to me." Steve just stared at Ubbe, and Ubbe whispered "Give it to me.." He cradled Steve's face - then he pulled it from Steve, it hurt - it hurt worse than any pain Ubbe had felt in a long time, and it had already been through Steve.
So it was bad.
Steve whimpered, and Ubbe let out a pained hiss - but he took it all from Steve - Steve slumped back against the pillows, and Ubbe lifted Arne into his arms - he carried him into the bathroom and he turned the shower on, getting the water hot - he got the younger man into the shower and Arne let out a pained noise, but Steve came in too and between the two of them - they got Arne showered, got his hair washed, they got him dried off and into some warm clean clothes. Sweatpants and a wifebeater.
Steve gently brushed Arne's hair, and Ubbe watched him - as Steve trimmed up his beard and Arne just let him - he stared at the wall blankly, his pale blue eyes seemed almost hazed - lifeless in a way. He was shaking, and Steve said softly, "Are you cold Arne? Hey.. hey its me.. Stevie.."
Ubbe watched as Arne's eyes shifted from the wall - then he was seeing Steve - looking at him, as if he was realizing for the first time since he got brought there, that Steve was actually there. Tears slid down Arne's face, and he just stared at Steve.
"Stevie.." He whispered it, and Ubbe felt like he'd been punched in the stomach - Steve said softly, "Yeah, its m-me Stevie, do you remember me?"
Arne's eyes fluttered closed, he was so pale that you could see the tiny veins in his eyelids - he let out a shaky exhale and whispered, "Dream.. just a dream.."
Steve stroked his face, and Arne whispered - "Dreamed you, dreamed you.." Steve looked up at Ubbe, tears sliding down his face and he said softly "You're not dreaming Arne, I'm real.. you're safe now, I swear it, you're safe now Arne.."
Arne had fallen asleep, sitting in Steve's arms - he had fallen asleep with tears on his face - Steve stroked his fingers against the younger man's face - and Ubbe said quietly, "Don't Stevie you've already pulled too much, too much and its dangerous for you.."
Steve looked up at him, and Ubbe said softly "I'll help him.."
Ubbe stroked Steve's hair, and he said softly "You can't pull anymore Stevie, okay?" Steve nodded yes, his bottom lip trembling - Ubbe gently gripped Steve's chin, "You got him out of there, out of that hell.. you've got him, we'll keep him safe... He must have a family too that's looking for him ja?"
Steve just stared up at Ubbe, with haunted eyes and then he said softly, almost inaudibly - "...They're dead, his p-parents its why nobody was looking for him, I phoned the number - it was forwarded to the police in a small town Corinth.. he, they killed his parents when they t-took him. They were murdered - he has nobody to go b-back too."
Ubbe breathed out heavily, and he said softly - "Then he stays with us, with y-you.. we'll be his family now."
Steve whispered, "I.. knew, I knew I had to find him.."
"Lets put him back into the bed, so he's comfortable ja?" Ubbe said softly, and Steve nodded - but he cradled Arne in close, said softly "When.. I called to him, I thought.. he'd changed into his fur.. but he turned like a Pale One.. they said he was a pale one, he turned into one.."
"You don't think he is?" Ubbe asked Steve - Steve whispered, "He must be.. he wasn't in his fur - and it wasn't like our Umbral shift - it was brutal, viciously brutal he put himself through the pain of it. If he was Uratha, he wouldn't need to shift that way?."
Ubbe lifted Arne up, but he took Steve's hand - they went back into the bedroom, and Ubbe put him into the bed. "You ..called to him, what do you mean Stevie?" Ubbe asked softly.
Steve said quietly, "He heard me, when I spoke to him - but when he spoke back - he was growling, and purring? So I spoke to him the same way, and then he turned - he turned like a Pale One. he said to Matt Ruiz, and the other guy Trey, that they were in the presence of Royalty, meaning me and Eddie.. but as a Pale One I don't know why he'd say that, they wouldn't think of us as that.. the guy Trey said he was one of the original Pale ones? But he's not Ubbe.. two years ago, Arne looked like he was Human.. and I don't see any bite.. I don't.. see a turning bite.. anywhere."
They both stared at Arne, and Ubbe ran his hands over Arne's body - above it, not touching him - he let his eyes close - and Steve tensed up beside him, Ubbe opened his eyes, and Arne was sitting bolt upright - he tilted his head, and then he said in a soft barely audible voice - "..No.. I don't want you to call me, I don't want to come out, leave me alone my Wolf is dead."
Ubbe said softly, "Nej.. lillebror your Wolf isn't dead - your Wolf is hiding."
Steve let out a soft breath and Arne's eyes were burning a beautiful shade of coppery metallic gold - he was Uratha, like they were.
"Stop, stop - stop it don't.." He stared at Ubbe, and Ubbe said softly - "You're Uratha, you're not a Pale one.."
Arne curled up on his side and he whispered, "They can't breed me if I'm useless, can't breed me - if my Wolf is dead."
Ubbe and Steve stared at each other, and Arne muttered "I was going to be killed - when.. they pulled me out of there, when.. when they thought I had killed those people.. I was going to be f-free, now you make my Wolf wake.. I can't.. I can't do it again - just let me die.. let my Wolf die... please.. please let me d-die.."
He was sobbing harshly, and Steve gently pulled Arne into his arms - the younger man sobbed out, "Please.. please just kill me? Kill me, I'm no good - I am no good, you can't breed me.. I don't make good pups, I don't.. I... please."
Steve said softly, "Arne you're not with them anymore, we got you away from them - away from them, I swear.."
Arne was just staring at the ceiling, his eyes moved to Steve, he whispered, "Y-You made me turn, you.. made me turn I had to ..turn my.. that way, I can't let them know, can't let them know.. I don't want them to hurt me anymore.. I.. don't want them to make.. me..."
Steve whispered, "Nobody is going to hurt you, nobody is going to make you do anything.."
Arne's gaze flicked to Ubbe - then he whispered tearfully, "You're not going to let him fuck me?" Ubbe felt sick to the stomach, and Steve said softly, tearfully - "W-What? Ubbe? Ubbe's not going to fuck you, nobody is going to hurt you.."
Arne let out a soft whimper, and he whispered - "They always want to fuck me.. hurt me.. use me.. make me high, I don't know what is real, and what isn't.. I just want to die.. please?" He closed his eyes.
Ubbe said softly "I know you are frightened, that you're in pain.. but we don't want to hurt you, we also won't let anyone hurt you Arne.."
Arne trembled and he whispered, "I don't even remember anything about who I am, only my n-name.. I don't remember anything else."
Steve stroked his hair, gently and Arne sobbed out - "Why.. why are you so nice to me, what do you want? Please.. please just kill me, please? Please.. I don't have anything to give you, I'm not any good - I'm not good - fuck someone else."
Steve cradled Arne close and he said softly, "I want to make you safe, I don't want you to be in pain .. are you hungry? Thirsty?"
Arne said shakily, "Thirsty.. yes, so.. thirsty.."
Steve said softly, "Hungry sweetheart? I can get you some food?"
Arne whispered, "I can't remember what food tastes like.. I don't remember.."
Ubbe had tears streaming down his face too - Steve stared up at him, there was a soft knock - Kaj came into the room - he had some bottles of what Ubbe guessed was juice? But Kaj said quietly, "I made up some of the stuff I've gotta drink, it has all the extra uh stuff... I thought it might be good for.. Arne.."
Both Steve and Ubbe - watched as Arne peeked out from Steve, at Kaj. Kaj had his hair out, and it had been out all day - but it was half covering his face from behind his hoodie - he lifted his head, and Arne shifted from Steve's arms to the end of the bed - just staring at Kaj, and then he said softly - "Ibrandual?"
Steve looked at Ubbe, then at Kaj - and Kaj said softly, "Ja.. hej.. Arne."
Then Ubbe, Steve and Kaj - saw light flicker all around Arne's body - it burst out illuminating the three of them in a white radiance as Arne's spectral form showed up for the first time. Like Kaj's it was made up of light and nothing else.
Steve whispered, ".. So pretty."
Ubbe said softly, "You're not hiding that huh.."
Arne was shivering, and he said softly - "Why do you all glow?.."
Ubbe said, "No need to be sorry little Ulf.. you just recognize your family.. that's all. You know you're safe... safe because you recognize Kaj.. Ibrandual, you can see and feel his light - you see his Wolf from the inside ja?."
Steve smiled a soft little smile, and Arne turned his head - looking at Steve, he whispered, "Shardei.." Steve's spectral wolf of course was there too - and Ubbe said softly, "Ja.. I'm not as old as them, but you can see me too, yeah?" Both Steve and Kaj could see Ubbe's spectral wolf as well - glowing beautiful white just like Arne's, but with a hint of flickering glittery shadow like Eddie's, and Astars.
"Yes.. I can see yours too - why are they.. all different?" Arne asked - he saw his own in the mirror and he said softly, "Why... is mine light.. why is mine like Ibrandual? I'm not good, I'm dirty and used up and wrong.. I'm.. wrong and evil, I've killed - killed because I lost control." he started shaking again, and it was Kaj who moved closer.
Kaj said softly, "You've been hurt, .. you've been broken.. abused - you lost control because you were hurt by monsters, but you're still light - because you're still pure. But a little darkness doesn't mean that your bad even if you do have it.."
Arne was staring at himself in the mirror - and then he said hoarsely, "Is that me?" He had haunted eyes - like he didn't recognize himself. He touched the beard on his face - "How is that me?" He said in a soft rasp.
Steve, Ubbe and Kaj were all quiet - till Kaj handed one of the bottles to Arne, "Drink some of this hmm? If you need to sleep, you can sleep - if you'd like some food, we can get you some.. If you would like us to leave we can.."
Arne took the bottle and he drank the juice, he said tearfully - frightened again, "I don't want to be alone? Please.. please don't leave me alone?" He reached out for Steve, but he looked at Kaj and Ubbe - "Don't leave me alone?"
Ubbe said softly, "We won't leave you.. would you like to come downstairs with us? We can light a fire? You can curl up with Stevie? Maybe.. Kaj if you want.." Kaj gently stroked Arne's hair and the younger man got all shy, but he said softly, "..You're not going to chain me up?"
Steve said softly, "No.. no Arne we aren't going to chain you up, you're never being chained up again."
Arne just stared at Steve - then he looked at Kaj, and he finally looked at Ubbe - "...Okay...a fire.. I think I haven't seen one of those for a long time, it.. makes you warm right?"
Ubbe said, "Yeah it makes you warm. You want a hoodie? I think Jeffy that's my brother.. he probably has one you can wear?"
"I.. can wear your brother's clothes?" Arne said softly, and Ubbe said "I'm sure he won't mind your small like him - it'll fit.. Stevie and Kaj will take you down stairs and I'll get you a hoodie.." Arne just looked frightened, but Ubbe said softly - "It'll be warm down in the living room, if you get too scared though.. we can always bring you back up here.."
Steve said softly, "Let's go sugar." Arne went pink as he stared at his bottle of juice and Kaj smiled a soft little smile at Steve - Steve got up, and he helped Arne - then the four of them left the bedroom.
As they stood in the hallway, Arne saw into the room where El was, and he said softly - "Who's that?"
Ubbe said "That's El, another girl that was rescued .. like you."
Arne said hoarsely, "Was she.. there where they kept me?"
Steve said softly, "Yes Baby, she was there for just a week, and then they had been captured by our friends, before anything happened to her.." Arne whispered, "Oh thank the Gods.."
Kaj and Steve and Ubbe all smiled.
Jeff came out of his bedroom, Ubbe said "Hey Baby can we borrow a hoodie for Arne?" Jeff blushed and said softly, "Definitely.."
Arne was just staring at Jeff, then he looked at Ubbe and said "You're brother is pretty.. he's your Baby?" Kaj and Steve were both quiet, and Ubbe said "Uh.. Baby brother yeah." He smiled, the heat in his own face and Jeff came back - he said softly, "Hi Arne.. I'm Jeffy, and uh this should be nice and warm.."
Arne slipped it on, and he said quietly "Oh its all fluffy on the inside." He seemed to burrow into it and Jeff said softly, "Yeah its stuff called sherpa, I get cold a lot so.. you can wear that it'll keep you all snug." Arne seemed to be a lot calmer, with Steve, Kaj and now Jeff too.
Jeff looked at Ubbe, and he said softly, "Gwennie's asleep, I gave her a bath and she's in her jammies.. we just have to give her some dinner later when she wakes up."
"Who's Gwennie?" Arne asked Jeff - there was a soft sobbing from Gwennie's room - "Mamá!"
Jeff raced off - and Arne's eyes welled up, "Oh.. Oh she's his pup?"
Steve said softly, "It's okay sweetling.."
Ubbe murmured, "Gwennie is.. my pup, but.. she calls Jeffy Mamá.."
Arne breathed out shakily, tears slid down his face and he whispered, "She.. she's your pup... I.. I'm sorry I don't know why I'm crying, I.. I'm sorry.."
Kaj gently stroked Arne's face, wiping his tears away - and he said softly, "You're okay.. its alright."
"They took my pups.. took them, I don't know where they took.." Arne whispered - staring into space and Ubbe felt sick again.
Steve looked devastated and Kaj said quietly - "I'm so sorry."
Arne had tears blurring his vision, and he said brokenly - "They never let me keep t-them, so I .." His legs kind of gave out, as Jeff came out of Gwennie's room - he had tears in his eyes, he gently curled his arm around Arne, and he said softly "Lets get you warmed up.. come on.." Arne was so light that Jeff lifted him up, and he carried him down to the living room.
They all got downstairs, where Dustin, Remy and Erica and Jadea were all sitting in the living room as well as Billy - Billy had lit a fire in the fireplace - and Dustin was making spaghetti, and he had bread in the oven - Remy helping him to make the sauce.
Jeff put Arne into Steve's lap, and he went back upstairs to get Gwennie and El back down for dinner, as Jeff came back with Gwennie in his arms? Arne was watching them as he peeked out from his hiding place in Steve's arms. Gwennie was sucking on her thumb, El tucked Tito back into her arms and curled up with Jeff too.
Ubbe let out a soft little rumble, and went into the kitchen with Remy and Dustin - Dustin said softly to Ubbe, "I think Jeffy's got another pup." Ubbe smiled, watching as Jeff scented both El and Gwennie, El had curled her fingers into Gwennie's hair, and Gwennie had snuggled into them both.
Arne curled up with Steve and Kaj and he said softly, "This is nice you.. were right its so warm.." He was right next to the fire and he let his eyes close - Billy smiled and he said to Steve, "You.. found him, that's really good hmm?"
Steve said softly, "I.. knew I had too, I had to find him .. he needs us. We only found h-him because we got lucky."
Astar came into the living room - he flopped down in front of the fire next to Kaj - "Eddie's coming with the pupkins." He yawned and Arne said to Steve, "What.. is the pupkins?" Steve whispered, "My pups.'
Arne stared at Steve, and he whispered, "You have pups?"
Steve nodded and he said softly, "I had Kaj, Billy.. and Eddie's pups at the same time. Two boys and a girl. Mikkel, Leif and Siggy."
"Oh wow.. three? Omne trium perfectum.." Arne said softly, and Steve whispered "Is that Latin? What does it mean."
Arne said softly, "Good things come in three's.. something like that."
Steve giggled softly, and Arne smiled a soft little smile - he stared into the fire, tears in his eyes. Steve said softly "Arne? When.. you were taken, had your Wolf not woken?"
Arne didn't really answer, he just curled into Steve and stayed quiet breathing out shakily and Steve said softly, "It's okay, it's okay.. you're safe now. I promise your safe.."
~***~
Everyone was piled into the living room - Eddie had arrived with the pups, and also with Heahmund - Sara had come upstairs too - and Sara had made friends with El, the two of them were giggling softly together along with Jeff. They'd decided to make popcorn for everyone - Eddie was strangely quiet as well. Steve had gone back upstairs with Arne - after he'd managed to eat a small amount of food he'd fallen asleep and Ubbe had carried him back upstairs.
Eddie and Heahmund were deep in conversation with Remy and Dustin, when Steve came down the stairs - Eddie just stared at him, and then he said quietly "Stevie.." Steve bit his lip and then he said quietly, "You.. didn't want to help me f-find him.. you didn't even believe me." Eddie stepped in closer, and Steve whispered "You d-didn't believe m-me Eddie." Tears slid down Steve's face, and Eddie gently pulled Steve into the mud room with him, shutting the door so they were alone.
"I'm sorry Stevie." Eddie whispered it against Steve's mouth, and Steve said softly "He's just a baby, he.. he was taken when he was only a baby. He's so frightened Eddie, he thinks we're going to hurt him - thinks we're lying to him. That we're going to c-chain him up, he.. had pups - they were taken.. the last two years?" Steve just started to cry, and Eddie curled his arms around him - holding him close, Steve said shakily, "H-He's.. so b-broken."
Eddie murmured softly, "But he's safe now.. he's safe and we'll help him." Eddie lifted his head, seeing movement out the corner of his eye - he saw Arne, hiding in the shadow - and he said softly, "You can come out, its okay." Steve breathed out shakily against his neck, pulling back - and Arne stepped out of the shadow of the little stairwell. Eddie let out a soft little rumble - and Steve let out a soft little breath, as Arne's wolf-eyes burned brightly in the darkness.
He let out a soft snarl at Eddie, his eyes were glowing a beautiful coppery metallic color - Arne's scent was heavy with bitterness - mostly fear, and not much else. He'd pressed himself right up into the corner, against the wall, and he was breathing harshly - Steve looked up at Eddie, Eddie's eyes were wolfed-out blazing violet. "Eddie? You're.. probably scaring him.." Steve whispered.
Eddie moved into the shadowy stairwell - and Arne growled in his throat, his nostrils flaring as he breathed in Eddie's scent - "I won't hurt you." Eddie said softly, his voice low and Steve shifted - he felt the overwhelming urge to protect - Arne had his fangs out too, baring them at Eddie as he let out another growl - Eddie let out a deeper, rumbling growl that made the hair on Steve's body stand on end - but it made Arne whine instead, made his eyes burn brighter and he let out a sob - "No! No! I don't want too!" He said harshly, "I don't want too get away f-from me.."
Arne's voice was broken, more rasp than anything else - the downstairs door opened, Gareth and Gem making their way in - armed with snacks, and they'd also swung by the Compound and picked up Tonka, Argyle and Ghost and Michael. The extra noise - the people, only added to the tenseness of the situation - Steve stared at the others, tears in his eyes and Gem said "What's going on love?" His eyes landing on Arne and Eddie.
Eddie said quietly, "I'm not going to hurt you, Arne.." Arne let out one of his panicked, animalistic noises - and lashed out at Eddie, then all hell broke lose as he scrambled and then smashed his way past them - knocking over a chair - some stuff off the bookshelf, Steve yelled out, "ARNE! Come back.." Arne ran out the back door, and Steve said shakily - "No!, No! Arne.. Arne!" Gem just dropped the bag he was holding and ran out the door, and Steve ran outside as well - Steve was followed of course by Eddie, who said gruffly - "Jesus I didn't.."
"Don't worry about that!" Steve said shakily, "We need to f-find him!"
Gareth, Ghost, Michael, Tonka and Argyle all came outside as well - the other boys ran around the other side of the house - Steve sniffled - tears blurring his vision - and Eddie said hoarsely, "I didn't mean to f-frighten him so badly.."
Steve saw movement in the small garden shed, it was Gem - he poked his head out, and said "Stevie - I've found him.. tell the boys to go back inside okay? I think.. maybe it should just be you and me for now." Steve said tearfully, "O-Okay.." Eddie breathed out harshly, and then he said softly - "Stevie.." Steve curled his fingers against Eddie's cheek, "Go tell the boys Gem found him? Please Dee.." Eddie nodded and he whispered, "Okay Sweetheart.."
Steve watched as Eddie found the boys, they went back into the house - Eddie just stood there, staring at him - then he raked his fingers through his hair and lit a cigarette, Steve went to the small shed - his heart hammering in his chest. He could hear the harsh panicked breathing before he even went inside.
Arne had pushed himself right up into the corner, underneath the worktable - he'd made himself as small as he possibly could - his beautiful coppery eyes peering out at Gem, from behind his hair - then they lifted, looking up at Steve as he came into the shed. Steve had the strangest flashback - to when he'd been small, hiding in the utility space - when he'd been hiding staring up at the body of his father, as Bobby hung from the shower rail.
His body purple and black, his face swollen and unrecognizable - Steve breathed out harshly, the smell of fear was almost overwhelming.
Gem was sitting on the floor - he had his head down, not looking at Arne - but his voice was like velvet, all deep and soothing as he said softly - "Hello little love, my name is Gem - what's yours?"
Steve decided to do what Gem was doing, he sat down, and stayed quiet - Arne said softly, his voice barely there - "Arne.. my name.. is Arne.."
"Hi Arne, you don't look very comfortable in there.. do you think you might like to come out?" Gem said in that same soothing voice - he had something in his pocket, and Steve realized it was some Hershey's kisses, he was unwrapping one.
Arne just shook his head no - and Gem popped a kiss into his mouth, then without looking at Arne - he held one out - "Want a kiss?" He said softly, Arne looked at his hand - then briefly at Steve - then he stammered out, "A K-Kiss?"
Gem murmured, "They're really good, sweet.. its Chocolate, I've become horribly addicted to Kisses - terrible I know. But I've become addicted to sweet things.. I couldn't have them where I was.."
Arne let out a shaky breath, then he said softly - "Where were you?"
"Some call it the Underworld, but.. I thought of it as Hell.. I was trapped in Hell for a really long time, till Stevie freed me.." Gem said in his deep, soothing voice - Arne looked at Stevie, then he held his hand out, it was shaking badly - Gem gently dropped the kiss into his hand, and Arne put it into his mouth.
Gem said softly, "It's good ja?"
Arne whispered, "Yeah.. its really good.." Steve smiled a soft little smile - and Gem unwrapped another one - "Would you like another kiss?"
"I.. I've been in Hell too." Arne said softly, and Gem murmured - "But you're not in Hell anymore Arne..." He held out his hand the Kiss in his palm - and Arne slowly crawled out - he stared up at Gem, as he carefully took it. But he stayed where he was - not sitting under the worktable anymore.
"S-Stevie.. he got me out too." Arne said softly, tears slid down his face - and Gem murmured, "Stevie will keep you safe, and.. if you want me too? So will I."
Arne lifted his head, and he whispered - "You? You.. will keep me s-safe?" He put the kiss into his mouth, and Gem said softly "Ja, I will keep you safe if you want me too Arne.."
Arne let out a shaky exhale, and then he whispered - "...I haven't been safe for a long time." Tears slid down his face - and Gem said softly "Do you feel safe now? Safe with me and Stevie?"
"Yes... I.. felt safe with Ubbe too." Arne said in his soft rasp, and Steve said softly - "Ubbe won't hurt you, none of us will hurt you.."
"I don't like him... the.. one who was.." Arne breathed out harshly - and Steve said quietly, "Eddie?" Arne whimpered - and Gem said quietly - "Why did he scare you so badly?"
Arne just stared at the floor - and then he whispered shakily, "...Because he's Urfarah...but.. not Urfarah.. I don't understand.. how is.."
Steve carefully shifted closer and he gently stroked his fingers against Arne's face - making him breath out harshly, Arne let out a harsh exhale - he looked at Gem - and Gem unwrapped another kiss and said softly, "It's okay little love.."
Arne just stared at Gem, till he lowered his gaze - and Steve said softly - "You.. said he's Urfarah, but not Urfarah - what do you mean Sugar."
"I mean.. that he is Urfarah, but.. the other man.. the.. man that .." Arne stared shaking, and Steve lifted his gaze - feeling sick in his stomach - Gem said, "Have you met the other man that said he was Urfarah, is that what you're saying little love?"
Arne breathed out harshly, and he said tearfully - "Last.. y-year I was taken to a hotel in the city, and I.. was.. there were two men, but one of them... he said he was Urfarah, to the other man.. he was scary I didn't like him - he.. let the other man beat me, rape me... while he watched him, watched him h-hurt me.. he, said he wanted to take my luush, my light... he.. fed off me.. fed off my light, used his magick, to take my light, it was Urfarah, but.. not Urfarah..."
Steve breathed out harshly, and Gem gently stroked Steve's hair - "These two men, did they use their names - I know you said one said his name was Urfarah, what bout the other one?"
Arne said shakily, "The one that said he was Urfarah, he.. had stolen luush - its magick, magick that was a remnant, of the Urfarah that is here... the other man.. Urfarah called him Bells."
Gem murmured, "Belfour.. it was Estarlian and Belfour." Steve said softly, "...Belfour raped and beat Arne, and Estarlian.. watched him - then stole Arne's light? Fed off him.. took his magick."
Arne whispered, "It's part of.. what they do, what they would do if they were Uratha, or witchblud... or.. something else. If they.. were darker, feeding off Light - it gives them more power. I don't think I have much left anymore."
Steve and Gem both looked at each other, because Arne still had a lot of Light - his Astral Wolf was beautiful. It was curled around him - doing its best to protect him.
"Would you like to go back inside Arne?" Gem said softly, and Arne whispered tearfully - "I don't want him.. to hurt me.."
"Eddie isn't going to hurt you, I swear it.. he's the real Urfarah, and he's good.. he's not bad, he'd never hurt you Arne.." Steve said softly, he gently brushed Arne's tears away - and Gem said in his soothing voice, "I'm.. staying in the downstairs part of the house, with Gareth and Sara.. its quiet down there.. would you like to stay with me Arne?"
Steve smiled softly, and Arne looked at them both - then he whispered, "You.. will give me another kiss?"
Gem let out a soft chuckle, "You can have as many kisses as you want.." his voice soft - and Arne's cheeks went pink - he whispered, "Oh.. ok." Steve said softly, "Or you can come upstairs, Gem can come too, whichever you want to do.."
Steve let out a soft little rumble-purr and Arne shifted, he curled into Steve - but shyly said to Gem, "Will.. y-you come too, with me and Stevie?" Gem said softly, "Yeah little love, I'll come too.." Steve kissed Arne's cheek, and scented him - and Arne shivered, he whispered "That.. feels nice Stevie.. You smell good, you.. f-feel safe." Gem gave Steve sweet-eyes, and Steve said softly, "You wanna cuddle up in your bed, Gem can come? He can bring the kisses?" Arne said softly, "I like the kisses, yes?" He whispered, "Yes please."
Gem said in his deep voice, "Want me to carry you or are you okay to walk?" Arne just got all shy, and Steve thought he was precious - as he blushed and whispered, "I d-don't know?" Gem gently lifted him into his arms, and said softly "I'll carry you, you're a tiny little love - look at you." Steve gave them both sweet-eyes, and Gem held Steve's hand - the three of them made their way back upstairs, Eddie was in the kitchen, Steve whispered to him - "I'll explain why he was so scared, it.. wasn't you."
Eddie just nodded, and Arne said softly - "I'm sorry.. I.. I'm sorry if I..hurt you." Eddie said quietly - "No.. you didn't I'm sorry I scared you." Steve held Eddie's hand, and they both went with Gem and Arne - back to the bedroom, Steve and Gem curled up - and Arne said softly, "I..this is nice." He curled into Gem's side, and Jeff came out of the bedroom where El was - he bit his lip, and said softly - "You found Arne.. Hi sweet boy." Arne let out a soft little sniffle, and then he said softly, "Jeffy.." His eyes welled up, and Jeff said softly "Hey.. hey its okay.."
Steve and Eddie both smiled softly, as Arne ended up snuggled into Jeff - in the middle of Jeff and Gem. Steve said softly, "Arne.. will you be okay tonight? If I leave, and come back tomorrow? I need to take my pups home, feed them.. tomorrow we're moving into our big house, you can come and stay with us too if you want? Right Eddie?" Eddie murmured softly, "Yeah of course you can, you can come and stay with us.."
Arne said softly, "You're l-leaving?" He had pressed his face into Jeff's neck, and yet he was now holding Gems hand - Jeff was scenting him, and Gem murmured "You'll be perfectly safe, we'll keep you safe little love, I promise - and Stevie, Kaj? Everyone will be back tomorrow.."
Eddie murmured, "He's fallen asleep.."
Sure enough - Arne had fallen asleep - he'd shifted, and buried his face in against Gem's chest - Jeff said softly - "His hearts beating slower..that's good." Eddie and Steve kissed both Jeff and Gem goodbye, and Steve kissed Arne softly on the cheek, he whispered, "Sweet dreams little light, I'll see you tomorrow."