Knock, knock, knock. 

Heather’s head whipped around when she heard the knocking on the door. She had been pacing the living room non-stop for two days. Three days ago, when she woke up, Liam had been missing. She spent the whole day looking all over for him before retreating back to the house. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t sense him anywhere. She finally decided just to wait for him at the house and hope for the best. If he wasn’t back in a week then she was going to have to use alternate means to find him. 

“Where have you been,” she barked, opening up the front door. “ Do you know how wor…” It wasn’t Liam, but Arthur who greeted her at the door. “Who are you?" she gasped, stepping back from the doorway. “What did you do with my son?!”

“Your son is safe,” he said cooly, matching step for step, following her into the house.

“What do you mean? He’s been missing for almost four days!”

“He’s staying with me. He still needs some time to recover.”

“Recover? From what? What did you do to him?!”

Arthur walked past her to sit in the armchair by the fire. “I didn’t do anything to him. He almost killed himself when he reinforced the barrier protecting this place.”

“But he was fine when I saw him last. How could he have almost died?” 

“You can’t even tell when your own son is fighting for his life?” Arthur scoffed, flabbergasted that this mother could be so ignorant. “He will be staying with me until he is fully recovered.”

“Why should I? I don’t even know who you are. Give me my son back right this second!” she demanded raising a hand to attack.

A low, haughty laugh rose from the depths of Arthurs chest, chilling Heather to the bone. “I suggest you put that thing down before you hurt yourself,” Arthur schooled, red flashing in his eyes, his presence now overpowering.

“You…you’re… you’re a… a…,” Heather stuttered out, unable to finish her sentence.

“Yes, I am. And I suggest you listen to me if you know what’s good for you.”

Heather’s lower back stung from where she fell into the counter. How could this be? There was only one species in the world that could stop her in her tracks like that. This was the worst case scenario. She had no way to fight back. If he wanted her dead, she would be dead in an instant. There was nothing else she could do besides take his word. If she didn't, her and her son’s life would both be in danger. Her son may be strong but he would be no match for a beast like this. 

“Okay…P-Please, take good care of my s-son. He is the only family I have left.”

“Oh, I will. But that is how you treat ‘the only family’ you have left? You couldn’t give two shits if he was dying or not. He made such a powerful barrier to protect YOU and didn’t even bother to check him afterwards? His magic is unstable and you let him make a barrier with his own life force?!” Arthur bellowed.

“He used his life force? I thought he just had a boundless mana force…” Heather thought out loud. How could she know? No one ever taught her anything. “Listen,” she started, gathering her thoughts, “maybe he is safer under your care afterall. I don’t know much. I’ve just been trying to make do but I obviously don’t know enough. His power is more than I could have ever imagined. I’m not so sure I could keep him safe.” 

“No, I don’t think you could.” Arthur stood up, brushing his pants as he did. “Once Liam is healthy again, I’ll let him come back to see you. Do us both a favor and stay here. He almost gave his life to protect you so don’t let it be in vain."

Liam woke up to Arthur removing his boots at the edge of the bed. “How did it go?” he asked optimistically. 

“I'd say she was pretty understanding. You won't have anything to worry about. She agreed to let you recover here with me and to stay in the house as much as possible,” Arthur smiled, ruffling Liam's hair in his hand. 

“Thank you,” Liam said softly, brushing his hair back into place. He could feel his cheeks turning red. “I really appreciate you.” 

“Think nothing of it. Would you give me your hand please?” 

Liam's heart jumped into his throat. He extended a now shaky hand. 

Arthur placed two fingers on the inside of his wrist to read the flow of his life force. “You seem to be improving pretty fast, that's a good sign. I think a couple more days and you'll be back to normal. Your mother was right about your pool of boundless mana. But your life force isn't boundless! Promise me you aren't going to do something so reckless again. You almost gave up your entire life for that field.”

“I'm sorry. I didn't know. I was just copying what Cheryl did in my dream. I won't do it again,” Liam replied solemnly. The fact that if it wasn't for Arthur, he probably wouldn't be alive right now, was starting to settle in. Was he really that close to dying just a few days ago? He really felt fine now but the look on Arthur’s face was pretty convincing. Arthur said he only needed a few days but he didn't feel like he even needed that long. 

“It's okay, don't worry. Just be more careful from now on. Let's do another round of stabilizing your magic. Sit up properly and give me your hands,” Arthur directed as he positioned himself criss-cross in front of Liam, extending both his hands. 

Liam swallowed then wiped his sweaty palms on the blanket that covered him. It wasn't the first time but it felt different now. This man has spent days nurturing him back to life. This has to mean something right? I know I'm always reading too much into things but this is a lot for a stranger, he thought as he placed his hands in Arthur's. 

As soon as their hands touched, the familiar surge of warmth flowed into his body once more. The heat wasn't blistering hot anymore but Arthur’s hands were still cold as ice. He was starting to grow accustomed to their little ritual.

“Focus the flow through your body. Make sure it touches every part and keep the flow steady as you can,” Arthur instructed. 

I feel so much better when he stabilizes me like this. “Focus the flow, touch every part, steady as I can,” he repeated back, doing as he was told. He slowed his breathing, syncing it with Arthur’s. He could feel himself relaxing and the pain that remained, slowly fading away with each breath. 

Arthur’s grip tightened just the slightest and Liam’s breathing hitched, now hyper aware of their contact. His fingers felt hot where they touched. He tightened his own grip to match Athur’s before looking up to find his gaze, serious but warm, looking into what felt like his soul. He felt like he was staring down the barrel of a loaded gun. When the feeling of danger ran up his spine, he made a weak attempt to withdraw his hands, only to be met by an even tighter grip. 

“Arthur, are you okay?” Liam prodded gently, in fear of upsetting him. “We don't have to continue if you don't feel good.”

Shaking his head, Arthur pulled his hands back. “I'm sorry, I must be getting a little bit tired. Would you excuse me for a moment?” Arthur asked rhetorically. 

Liam sat there, confused, as he watched him leave the room. Did I offend him? But he really didn't look all that great. He decided to sit and practice circulating his power while he waited for Athur to return. There wasn't much else he could do right now and he really wasn't in the mood to read. 

About an hour had passed when a crash came from the other room, snapping Liam out of his meditation. 

“Arthur? Are you okay?” Liam asked, already hurrying to where the noise came from. When he turned the corner into the apothecary room, his heart sank. 

Arthur had collapsed onto the floor, knocking a few things off the table.