Survival Used To Be Everything

[chocobeast]

Venice was too focused on his brother to see what was happening between the brothers. He had his own brother back. He hugged Trini as he snuggled in on the flimsy cot.

"Trini, you wouldn't believe what has happened in the past few days. Before, every day was the same. I would wake up, search for food and water, and then eat a little bit and hide all night. That's all I would do. Nothing else. Every day was the same. Then Trini, I was saved by this really really nice guy named Aeron. He rescued me from being eaten. I was literally seconds away from being someone's lunch. Then he saved me. And you know what dad said. 'If someone saves your life, you owe them a life.' So, I stayed with him and watched over him right? Well, he brought me here, to this camp full of people. And then I met this doctor guy named Ellis. He helped me figure out why I couldn't be humanoid again. You know why? Because Aeron is my mate. Dude, I have a mate. Me? The kid who was always slow and clumsy. I have a mate. It's Aeron. He's actually super cute too. Once you wake up, I want you to meet him. You will be soooo jealous. He's nice and cute and a good guy. I got lucky. I hope you wake up so that you can see him. I have soo much more I wanna talk about. Like where have you been? Who did you meet? Did you find a great place to stay? Do you wanna stay here? God, wake up soon..." Venice prattled on in almost a whisper in Trini's ear. It was loud enough though that Aeron could hear. Though, he didn't know that.

Venice felt like a kid again with his brother. He felt like a piece of him that died those long terrible years ago was waking up again. He was almost feeling whole. Just snuggling his bruised and battered brother was enough to make his week. Imagine when Trini was awake.

Venice talked himself to sleep. Soon, his nonstop chattering slowed and then stopped totally. He fell asleep snuggliing the past he missed that he missed soo much.

[Ninia]

Aeron looked up when he heard Venice speak softly to his brother, telling him everything he’d been through since he arrived here. A small smile rested on his face when Venice started to tell Trinidad about him and how he owed him his life. Aeron felt like interrupting to tell Venice he didn’t owe him anything but he couldn’t bring himself to ruin the moment.

He chuckled as he listened and watched his mat’s face light up with joy as he spoke to his beloved brother. He knew they should leave soon and let him get some rest but Venice needed this, he needed to talk and be near his family.

It wasn’t long until Venice slowly dozed off next to his brother. Aeron stood and moved over to the two, gently taking Venice into his arms and held him gently. The stress of the day had finally caught up to him. He turned to the front of the tent when he heard the flap open and Ellis entered.

“Damon has left I see?”

Aeron nodded “I told him to rest.” He glanced down at Venice sleeping in his arms. “You don’t need us any longer right?”

Damon smiled and moved over to Trinidad, checking his wounds “I can handle things from here. Go get some sleep, it’s been a…interesting day.”

Aeron nodded and left the tent carrying Venice to their own. He lay the other down in the bed before stripping himself of his top and laying down next to him. He pulled the others small frame against him and closed his eyes slowly drifting off to sleep. He could only imagine what tomorrow would bring.


(I'm so so so so sorry for the wait =( I'll try to be quicker next time)

[chocobeast]

Venice slept more perfectly than he had ever. He was truly content. Though, he had no idea that he wasn't next to his brother anymore.

He woke up nearly the next day with a contented hum. He cuddled the warm mass against him and smiled. His brother was here. Venice didn't even bother to open his eyes. He just hummed. "Trini, I can't believe that you are better."

Venice didn't expect anyone to answer him back. He just hugged who he thought was his brother. He also didn't bother to get up. He knew by the major damage he saw on his brother that the other was going to be bedridden for a while.

Finally, maybe a coupple hours later, Venice stretched happily but carefully. He didn't want to disturb his brother while he slept. "Hey," He called as he looked over at the bundled mass next to him. "I have to check on Aeron. He must be starving and needing something. I'll be bacck in a few."

That's when Venice noticed that he wasn't in a cot anymore...he wasn't at the hospital tent anymore...He was with Aeron?!

Venice PANICKED. He fell out of bed. "WHERE"S TRINI?!" He hollered as he scrambled up to his feet. His bleary eyes taking in Aeron's sleeping. He didn't even register Aeron answering him. Instead, he ran barefoot out of the tent and straight back to Ellis'. He burst in yelling, "WHERE IS HE?! Is he okay?!"

[Ninia]

Aeron woke with a jolt. He sat up and reached out only to catch a glimpse of Venice running out of the tent. He swore under his breath and quickly scrambled out of the sheets and ran out after him, not caring that he was only in his trousers. He tensed as the cold air hit his bare chest but he tried to ignore it and looked around for Venice. When he couldn’t see the other he hurried over to Damon who was standing still and looked shocked.

“Did you see where Venice went?!” He was desperate to find where his mate had run off to. Damon didn’t answer straight away but then slowly nodded and pointed in the direction of Ellis’ tent. He should have known. He thanked Damon and quickly ran to the tent.

He found Venice inside with Ellis, the latter trying to calm the small male down. Aeron sighed and walked up to the two, resting his head on Venice’s when he reached them. “Please don’t run off like that…I don’t like not knowing where you are…”

He took a step back and stood next to Venice. HE looked up at Ellis to see what the man’s answer to Venice’s questions would be.

“Your brother is fine Venice, he’s just woken up and still needs some rest. I’d like him to stay here for now so I can keep a close eye on his wounds and make sure they don’t get infected.”

Aeron nodded and hoped that answer would be enough for Venice right now.

[chocobeast]

Venice was just getting impatient with the startled doctor when Aeron burst in in only his pants. In any other circumstance, Venice might have commented. Instead, he merely waved at Ellis to answer him.

What Venice hadn't expected was Aeron to snuggle him and chastize him at the same time. He both relaxed and tensed up at the same time, if that was even possible. He looked up ready to apologize or argue his case when Ellis decided that that was a good time to interrupt.

Instantly, Venice broke free from Aeron and much calmer, walked over to Trini's bedside. He still couldn't believe that it was his brother. His long lost brother...

Venice was so focused on his little brother, he missed thbe silent shadow float across the room and stop just above Trini's head. He was so focused on getting away from from Aeron that he didn't see that very same shadow garner Trini's attention.

But he did see Trini nearly fall off the bed. He screamed as he leaped to try to catch his woundeed brother. But he was too far away and Damon caught Trini perfectly.

Venice was there in an instant begging, "Trini, are you okay?" As he watched Damon try to soothe his brother with gentle conversation and rubbing.

Venice suddenly felt like a third wheel. Damon was doing his best settle his brother and it almost felt right to him. Why was Damon here? What was Damon's connection other than sympathy for the guy he wounded? Venice silently watched, confused.

Ellis came out of nowhere. Scared the hell out of Venice. but Venice still watched the two...no make it now 3 of them like it was an odd soap opera. And that's when Venice saw that his little brother was still frozen with fear and Damon was shaking like the proverbial leaf.

Venice reached out to his brother to catch his attention away from Damon. And then he heard the guilty man make a pitiful excuse and run away. In a way, he was grateful that Damon finally sought better of himself and left. But in another way, Venice wished that Damon had stayed and talked to all of them like a man and explain himself.