A/N: One more chapter this morning to get the ball rolling. Please comment and ♡. If any of you (er...the 1 or 2 people reading. It's quality over quantity, right?) have questions I'll be happy to answer ^^

Chapter 2.

The group followed suit, though a few stayed behind to watch the younger boys.

"Come!" Mian took his arm, led him to the cliff wall, and began to climb.

Another male, compact with muscle, shoved Matthew in the back and the human stared despairingly up at the cliff. "...I can't climb that."

Mian turned with an incredulous stare and several aliens barked with laughter. The male behind Matthew grabbed his hand and thumbed one of his blunt fingernails.

Mian scuttled back down and presented his back. "Get on."

Matthew considered the boy's slender build doubtfully. His muscles shook with exhaustion and - even if Mian was strong enough to carry him - Matthew feared he would lose his grip and fall to his death.

But he was stranded in a world of ice and there was no other way up or down. He climbed on shakily, and tightened his arms and legs, as hard as he could.

Mian straightened with a grunt and hooked his claws into the ice.

Snow scattered down from the aliens above and Matthew scrunched his eyes shut.

A terrifying while later, he felt Mian's muscles bunch, as he heaved them over a ledge, and then they were blessedly horizontal.

Matthew cautiously opened his eyes and yelped with horror. They were balancing on a thin wall of ice over a seemingly endless drop. Mian snarled and tightened his claws.

"Hold still!" The boy barked and Matthew froze; muscles so tense, he could barely feel them.

He squeezed his eyes shut, pulse hammering in his throat, and Mian continued onwards. Soon, a shine of light painted the inside of his lids red and the air warmed.

He squinted through his lashes, just as Mian ducked through a tunnel, and shimmied into a chamber.

The inside of the mountain shone with black minerals, like a geode, and the polished peaks glittered from the glow of a roaring fire.

The remaining aliens climbed in behind them, and one slapped Mian on the arm, with a few gruff words of approval.

It took Matthew a moment to unlock his cramped muscles and slide to the smooth stone floor. His legs trembled and his eyes couldn't seem to focus.

"Hey, hey." Mian steadied him and Matthew blearily noticed that the boy was only a few inches taller. "Can you walk?"

The cave felt like a sauna, but Matthew was starting to shiver, and his nose throbbed terribly.

He didn't know what he looked like, but Mian's black eyes widened and he hastily reached for Matthew's suit - snarling when the slippery material slid through his claws. "Take this off!"

Matthew fumbled for the zip with clumsy, swollen fingers. His digits were so frozen, he could barely grip the plastic tag.

The alien watched his movements closely, then pushed his hands away, and unzipped his suit the rest of the way; revealing Matthew's t-shirt and jeans. Mian blinked.

"Why?" The boy exclaimed, with a growl of frustration, and pulled at his clothes.

"Mian?" A soft voice spoke.

Mian's ears perked and his frothy tail swished.

"Fie, come help me!" He demanded and Matthew blinked dazedly at the small boy, stepping hesitantly away from a group of curious onlookers.

He was delicate and slender. With a gently rounded face and overly large black eyes.

"He's harmless and wounded." Mian ripped into Matthew's t-shirt and exposed his shivering, hairless chest. The alien yelped and hastily felt the torn fabric. "This wasn't fur, was it?"

"No..." Sweat poured down his temples, and Matthew couldn't even bring himself to mind that he was being stripped, in front of a dozen black eyes. And more to come; judging from the barks and yips echoing nearby.

His head began to pound, and he tipped forward, leaning heavily against Mian. Nausea bubbled in his gut and his mouth filled with sickening saliva. He panted, eyes shut, and attempted not to throw up all over his rescuer.

Mian barked loudly, sending a sharp stab of pain straight through Matthew's skull, and arms wrapped around his waist and shoulders.

He was led blindly forward and his feet stumbled over the stone floor.

"Clio!" Mian barked and the human groaned. A third bark, more high-pitched, rang at his shoulder and agony seared behind his eyes.

———————————

He woke slowly to the gentle popping sounds of a crackling fire. His body was cushioned by furs and his head still pounded - but his nose was only a little tender - and the room felt pleasantly warm this time, not stifling.

There was a light clink and the unmistakable sound of water pouring into a cup. He peered through his lashes and saw the small alien, Fie, sitting beside him.

The boy's ears were even larger than Mian's and his fuzzy hair was long; rippling down his seal-hide spine to brush over his hips. Fie set down a stone pitcher and Matthew's mouth felt suddenly parched.

"Ca-can I have some, please?" He rasped.

The boy started and water sloshed over the edge of the cup. He wet his lips, with a small black tongue, and watched Matthew out of the corner of his eye.

The human stayed very still and attempted to seem as non-threatening as possible. It wasn't difficult; he felt weak as a kitten, and his nose was clogged with blood, leaving him to wheeze through his mouth.

Fie passed him the cup slowly, and Matthew brought it to his lips with trembling fingers. The water spilled over his cheeks and Fie hurriedly steadied his hand.

Matthew finished the cup in two large gulps and gasped for air through his mouth.

Fie stared down at him silently. Their hands were still touching and there was an infinitesimal change in the alien's face.

Matthew couldn't pinpoint it exactly; maybe a softening in the corners of his white mouth, or a smoothness in his brow.

"Your nose was set." Fie whispered, black gaze reflecting Matthew's bruised eyes like a mirror. It was unnerving and the human looked away.

"Thank you." Matthew croaked. He felt bone weary and it took a conscious effort to stay awake.

The boy shifted closer, cottony tail curling beside Matthew's cheek.

"Mian said...you survived a fire?" Fie had hesitated, as if he'd meant to say something else.

Matthew swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat.

They'd sat in one of the ships sleek restaurants, ordering breakfast, when the windows had lit up in a shower of stars. Lucy had laughed with delight, and reached for her camera, just moments before the asteroid struck.

"Y-yes..."

And then the screams and the stampede had started.

Fie whined softly and adjusted his grip to clasp the human's fingers more firmly. And Matthew thought of his brother's small hand.

Poor Jamie. He'd been so exited to go. Large eyes shining as he packed his backpack, containing the few precious essentials mom had allowed him to bring.

He'd been jumping around their apartment, like a grasshopper, for weeks; counting down the days until he'd get to fly on a real starship.

And then he'd cried his heart out, when they'd left their dog with the neighbors.

Because he was good. A little light to brighten the dark. And just seven years old.

And Matthew had let him go.

Cramping pain churned in his gut and Matthew's face crumpled. He turned on his side and then he was crying - like he hadn't cried since he was a child - harsh, ragged sobs that gripped his lungs and heart with iron strength.

Warm arms wrapped around him and Fie's slender body pressed close. Matthew clutched the boy's furred back, not caring if Fie was a stranger or another species. Because his loved ones were gone. And even if they lived, he didn't think he'd ever see them again.

———————————————

Some time later, when Matthew had cried himself hoarse - and the pain settled like a leaden weight in his gut - Mian arrived with a bowl of broth.

"Here." Mian placed the bowl on the floor and lifted Matthew against his chest. Fie stayed curled around him, velvety head warm against his shoulder.

Matthew had never been this close to another boy before, much less two. And he was vaguely aware of the fact that he was naked.

But this was a different world, with different customs - and he was vulnerable and hurting - and extremely thankful for the contact.

Mian proffered the bowl and Matthew turned his head. His stomach felt tight and the thought of filling it only made bile rise.

"No, thank you." He whispered and closed his eyes.

"Eat!" Mian barked.

Matthew jolted hard and the bowl was suddenly pressing to his mouth. He drank fast, to avoid a second spill, and half-drowned when the alien tipped the bowl further.

Fie whined and Mian permitted Matthew a few breaths.

The human heaved and licked his dry lips. The broth was hot, but not scorching, with tiny chunks of salty meat.

His stomach churned, before growling loudly. Fie's hand settled on his belly and moved in soft circles. It felt good. Soothing.

Mian tipped the bowl again and Matthew drank willingly. When it was empty the pounding in his head had eased a bit and his head fell back against Mian's sleek shoulder. His eyes closed and his muscles relaxed.

"He's a Santh." Fie said quietly, hand still stroking gently. Matthew's translator didn't recognize the term and he heard it in the alien's sibilant tongue.

Mian's hand brushed over the human's chest, circling his nipple curiously. "I think you're right." He murmured, breath warm against Matthew's ear.

"I always am."

-——————————-

Matthew startled awake when he was hauled onto Mian's back. Fie steadied his spine, and Mian gripped his thighs, before climbing into a tunnel.

The temperature dropped to freezing and ice cut into Matthew's lungs. He shuddered and pressed his face into the aliens warm neck.

"Almost there." Mian reassured.

They moved down a steep incline and the air gradually warmed. Mian slipped through an opening at the bottom and entered a cavern.

Matthew couldn't see a thing, but he could hear the familiar sounds of soft snores and sleeping bodies.

Mian stepped easily through the dark, and lowered Matthew onto a fur, and heat seemed to emanate from the stone beneath it.

Mian pressed up against Matthew's back and folded an arm around his waist. Light steps moved around them, and Fie settled against his front, and pushed a slender leg between his knees.

"Come here." A boy whispered.

Fie breathed a whine and his tail curled around Matthew's thigh. "Tomorrow."

The stranger growled and another voice shushed them sharply.

Fie was lying so close, Matthew could feel the boy's breaths on his chin, and Mian's nose nuzzled into the hair at his nape.

His heart felt like a cold stone in his chest and he knew it wouldn't thaw anytime soon. Maybe not ever.

But the bodies against him were warm and comforting. Fie wiggled a little closer and soft lips pressed tentatively against his throat.