“Galene!”

Damien, Alexi and Percy look up to the doorway to Alexi’s room. One of their instructors is there. They’d barely seen their instructors through the month long eclipse designated as self study time. This one looks rather flustered.

“Galene, the general’s here with a heli-lift. He says it’s something about Eric.”

Percy jerks up. Alexi has never seen Percy look so panicked. He grabs his jacket and runs out with Damien and the instructor behind him. Alexi runs after them. He didn’t think he’d see General Galene back so soon. It must be something serious to have Percy looking so terrified.

As promised, there’s a heli-lift waiting. They’re only just out of eclipse, still stuck in twilight most of the time. It’s dangerous to fly. It’s dangerous to be above ground. There could be Nightmares in the lingering darkness. General Galene is waiting by the door, despite the dangers.

“Dad! How bad is it?!”

“It’s bad,” General Galene replies, grabbing his hand and helping him up. Damien climbs up with them, followed by General Galene. “He was rushed into surgery. In and out since then.”

“Percy,” Alexi calls. Percy glances back. “What’s going on?”

Percy hesitates before holding out his hand. “Come on.”

Alexi grasps his hand and Percy pulls him up to the heli-lift. They lift off without a moment for him to ask what’s going on again. Percy pulls him down to the seat next to him, squeezing his hand. He’s not sure who Eric is but he obviously means a lot to Percy.

“It’s nice to see you again, Damien,” General Galene says. “If under such circumstances.”

“You too, sir,” Damien replies quietly.

Alexi frowns. It seems General Galene approves of Damien more than him. Just his luck. Percy squeezes his hand again and Alexi glances up.

“Are you ok?” Alexi says. Percy smiles but this one is obviously fake. “This Eric, he’s important to you?”

“Very,” Percy says.

He nods, not entirely sure what to make of that. For General Galene to come here personally, even risking travelling in the twilight, it must be serious. He must mean the world to Percy. Perhaps Percy’s affection is fleeting, but it seems his love is lasting and strong.

The journey is turbulent and awkward. Percy’s grip on his hand is almost crushing the entire way. They land hours later outside a hospital and follow General Galene, and the doctor who meets, them through painfully bright white halls. Alexi wrinkles his nose. His nostrils burn with the stench of disinfectant. Hospitals really are the worst.

“They’re in here.”

“Thank you, Dr Kelly,” General Galene says, catching Percy’s arms as he goes to push passed. “Wait, Percy.”

“But Eric-”

“You’re so loud, Percy,” says a voice from inside the room.

“Eric!”

Percy pushes passed everyone and rushes into the room, even as General Galene tries to pull him back. His footsteps stop just out of sight. Damien and Alexi step forward. Percy is standing just inside the doorway, staring down at the young man in the closest bed. He smiles tiredly back at Percy.

“Percy,” the boy rasps, stretching out his hand, “I’m sorry.”

Percy manages a smile and grasps his hand in both of his. “Hey, no. There’s nothing to be sorry about. I mean, you scared me half to death but I do worry about you constantly. You’re like my baby.”

“Bit creepy.” He smiles and tilts his head. “Damien.”

“Hey kid,” Damien says.

“Who’s he?”

Alexi straightens up. “Ah, I’m Alexi.”

“We’re dating,” Percy says.

“Must be special.”

“This is Eric,” he says, turning to Alexi. He nods slightly and Percy sits on Eric’s bed, never once releasing his hand. “We’re cousins. Now, tell me what you did to get yourself in this mess? You should have been safe.”

“One of the Nightmares got too close,” Eric says, closing his eyes. “One of the robots fighting it smashed through part of the Nest. The pilot was dead. I convinced Isaak…” He sighs and tilts his head, gazing at the boy across the room. “It’s my fault he’s…”

“Hey, hey,” Percy says, cupping his cheek and turning his gaze back to them. “No. None of that, ok? Those monsters did this, not you. You should have been safe.”

“But-”

“It’s not your fault.” He gives Eric’s hand a squeeze, brushing tears from his cheeks. “You really like Isaak, huh?”

Eric nods and little and Percy grins. Damien nudges Alexi’s side, tilting his head to the door. Alexi nods, following him back out and leaving the cousins to chat. General Galene is still talking with the doctor. There’s obviously nothing they can do, Percy and Eric need time together, so they search out the nearest drinks machine.

“Those two are close then?” Alexi says.

Damien laughs, picking up his plastic cup. “He’s Percy’s baby.”

“Where are his parents?”

“Working, probably.”

“They’re not going to visit him?”

“Unlikely.”

“But it’s serious,” Alexi says. “I mean, you saw him. They’re really not-”

“Unlikely.”

Alexi frowns. He’d like to think if he was ever injured, especially so seriously, his parents would come to see him. They’d want to look after him. Then again, he wasn’t raised like most his peers. Most Golden Knights sent their kids off to group homes so they could work and the kids could train. Perhaps there’s not enough of a bond.

“Will he be alright?” Alexi says.

“Probably,” Damien says. “I’m not a doctor, but they’ve already given him bionic implants for his vital organs and torso from the looks of it. I imagine he’ll be given a bionic arm as well. Garin House has the money for the most advanced medical science, after all, and Dr Kelly is the most respected doctor on Pallas when it comes to bionic engineering.”

“You know a lot about it,” Alexi says.

“My mother was a nurse when she was sober,” he replies.

Alexi nods, deciding not to pry. “I’ve never seen Percy look quite so… human.”

“Eric is his one big concern,” Damien replies with a small smile. “He loves him. He worries about him. Nothing brings him down from his own world like Eric.”

“Everyone has their priorities. Even him, I guess.”

“And you look like you’re struggling to figure out yours.” Alexi frowns at him and Damien smiles. “Percy isn’t the type who’d be happy you’re holding back for him. If there are more important things for you to think about, think about them. We should all have our priorities. Focus on what’s important to you right now.”

“What’s with you two?” Alexi laughs. “You’re way too encouraging and positive all the time.”

“It’s just part of our charm, I guess.”