Light filtered through the barn, slithers of gold dancing on Aoren’s outstretched palm. A small smile played on his face before he frowned, and moved out of the sunlight, sliding back towards the wall. He leaned his head against the wood and sighed, closing his eyes. A small sob escaped his lips, a tear snaked its way down his cheek. He tucked his knees up to his chest, and ran his fingers through his hair.
Erëac stood silently at the barn door, watching as Aoren broke down, feeling his heart drop. This was not like Aoren. Aoren stayed strong, after everything he had been through, Erëac had never seen him complain, seen him cry, seen him do anything but what he was supposed to do. Erëac nodded to himself before tapping on the door as he walked in. Aoren attempted to move, to deny he’d been crying, but Erëac shook his head at him.
‘It’s okay.’ He sat himself by the younger boy and put his arm over his shoulder. Aoren stiffened for a moment before taking a shaky breath and relaxing into Erëac’s side. They sat in silence for a while, until Aoren’s sobs subsided and his tears dried on his cheeks.
‘I almost couldn’t do it’ Aoren broke the silence first, his voice rough.
‘I didn’t think I was going to be able to save Nyx.’
‘But you did, ’Erëac soothed ‘That’s the most important part. You did.’
‘I nearly didn’t though. Look where I ended up. I didn’t even realise that it had happened – I should have been there. I should have stopped it!’ Aoren pulled away from Erëac and turned to face him on his knees. ‘Do you know what that’s like? Knowing everyone is expecting you to do something, but you can’t do it? I was helpless.’
‘Hey,’ Erëac leaned forward, placing his hand on Aoren’s shoulder ‘It’s okay. Nobody is expecting anything. The important thing is you’re both safe. Nyx will be fine soon enough, and your magic is alright.’
‘Is it?’ There was a harsh laugh as he stood up to leave.
‘Darian said-’ Ereac pushed himself up
‘Darian doesn’t know- he doesn’t care about any of us’ Aoren gritted his teeth, then spoke through a clenched jaw ‘He wouldn’t care if we were dead.’ He reached for his satchel, his movements slow and stiff ‘I’ve got to...got to..go”
“A. Are you okay?” Erëac reached out to Aoren, to stop him from leaving, to try to talk to the boy. Aoren flinched like the touch had burned, taking a confused step backwards into the wall as his surroundings shifted around him.
“Aoren.” Its met with a small moan of a reply, and huffed breaths. “Aoren!”
Aoren drops to his knees, hands splayed out in front of him as he tried to catch his breath.
Tegh appeared at the doorway, slightly taken back by Erëac in the room. He nodded at him before moving onto the younger boy with the familiarity of a regular routine. His rough hands tugged gently at Aoren’s entangled in his hair.
“Aoren, you’re okay. You’re okay.” His voice was soft, a complete opposite to the man’s exterior. Erëac, completely out of his depth, shot a panicked look at Tegh.
“If you want to make yourself useful, sit behind him and keep him on his side. I can explain later.’ Erëac swallowed and nodded, quickly shifting his position.
“Aoren, you need to breathe. Come on, properly.” His breaths came in short, painful gasps, only broken by a heaving cough and a small, pathetic whimper.
“Aoren, come on” Tegh’s voice was firm “Aoren!’
With the last call of his name he glanced up, catching Tegh’s eye with a desperate look and a small shake of his head.
“You're okay. It’s nearly over, son"
