Joshua had just come inside from spending an afternoon in the summer heat. His father patting him on the back before going towards the kitchen, where his wife and Joshua's mother was waiting. Joshua would've followed, but ultimately needed to sit down. His head throbbing as he worked to catch his breath and avoid overheating. Luckily reaching the dining table was easy enough. He should be able to handle it just fine, then again, he didn't have nearly as much skin to shield him anymore. Faye came up to him from seemingly nowhere, making him jump slightly with her silent approach. Making her giggle at him before placing a glass on the table.
"Here sugar, this oughta help.", she told him whilst he glanced at the glass. Vision still a touch blurred in his current state.
He had expected water or perhaps a simple lemonade. Instead he was met with watermelon chunks and mint leaves floating alongside lemon slices. Intrigued, and confused at the watermelons, he still gladly took the drink, "Thank you.", he told her in a breathy tone before taking some sips through the straw that had been provided.
"Hope it helps, given watermelon is hydrating and mint lemonade is already especially cooling on it's own."
After a second sip he gave her a nod of approval, "This is refreshing, rest assured. Though it may still be a while before my body settles down. I now understand your reasons for staying inside lately all too well."
She snickered softly, only a touch playful, "Yeah...hyperthyroidism. It sucks. Then again so does living with burn scars that screw up your temperature control."
"Hey at least autumn and winter are good months for you. I can't even handle that neither.", Joshua countered jokingly whilst taking further sips.
To which Faye smirked, "Yeah well summer is still the pits."
"Well to be fair my dear, it is far easier to overheat than it is to freeze. At least for most people."
"We ain't most people.", Faye laughed out half-jokingly.
The two then chuckled together before Faye went and grabbed the pitcher with the rest of the lemonade. Bringing it from the kitchen to the dining table. Just as she placed it down, she hissed in pain briefly. Joshua sat up straight and watched Faye keenly only to see her smile it off. This was unlike her, so he bade her to sit down. Only for her to continue brushing it off. He left her be, but made a mental note to check in again later once he could follow after her. So he finished up the lemonade, though forced to take his time to avoid causing temperature shock or an inconvenient brain freeze. He then rushed to bring the glass to the kitchen. Cleaning it in record time and setting it to the side to dry.
Faye had walked off after Joshua noticed the pain. She didn't want to worry him, nor did she want him asking too many questions right now. Not with who was currently lurking in the recesses of her mind at the moment. A voice she'd not heard in some time, and had secretly hoped to never hear again if possible. Faye went to the bedroom she'd been sharing with Joshua since he returned the previous year. It had been his childhood bedroom in his youth, but his family added an extra bed for her once she chosen to stay. This bed she sat down on to start meditating, to better prepare for the now inevitable breach in her mind.
"Oh meine liebe freundin, you're growing soft it seems. Comfortable. Easier.", a all too familiar man taunted in perfect German. His mother language, which he was always happy to tout.
Faye's eyelids tightened in response, "Fuck off Altermann.", she said caring little for his theatrics as always.
"Oh, nevermind about being soft then. You have grown very comfortable nevertheless."
"Only when you're far away from me, which is a distance I'd like to maintain.", Faye replied defiantly, "Now fuck off before I have to make you."
Altermann laughed coldly at her, "Liebling, I could easily close that distance. Need I remind you?"
"You stopped scaring me a long time ago."
He only laughed harder now, "We both know that isn't true."
Faye then began to feel sharp, searing pain in her gut. She checked her old scar on the left side, a gnarly thing that stood out badly to anyone who saw it. It throbbed, felt as though it was bleeding all over again. Her stomach twitched in response to the pain, the memory of it being forced on her mentally. Altermann chuckled softly whilst watching her scramble to control it and fight off his influence at once.
"Fuck off Altermann.", she growled out loud through gritted teeth.
A sentence Joshua readily heard once he came up to check on her. Upon stepping into the room, he felt it immediately. A cold, domineering force clawing at Faye's mind. So he naturally sprung into action to help her. He wasn't as skilled, but he did hope to use that to his advantage. If he wasn't as capable as Faye, then perhaps he wouldn't be noticed. At least not until he'd built up enough of a mental shield to enshroud Faye's mind and chase this force out. He sat near her at first, meditating as well to get himself ready for his plan. All the while overhearing the conversation once he was focused enough, a quiet rage building within him. Especially once he saw Faye clutching her side, seeing a vicious looking scar there he'd somehow missed until now.
"Oh eine sternchen, how you ever amaze me."
"Even if you never seem to learn anything. Kein gutes Zeichen, Mädel."
"I said shut up! Shut the FUCK up!"
"Now now Mädchen, being hostile hasn't worked so far. Now has it?"
Joshua felt it just as she did, the sharp twisting pain sliding slowly across the gut. He held his own side just as she'd been doing, the pain igniting his body fiercely. As though a knife were carving into him. A concerning feeling given everything going on. He took on the brunt for her nevertheless, powered through it. Doing as much as he could whilst finally finishing his prep work. He was ready to go in, and swiftly held Faye in his arms. His hold firm and protective, whilst his instincts were surging with fire.
"Thought you'd escape my notice? Get away with this? This will be the last time you plague her thoughts.", he whispered angrily before entering Faye's mind carefully.
Once within her mental scape, he found himself in a dark place shrouded in shadow. He saw Faye dancing alone, struggling but resolute with a cold, hardened expression. Her visage shifting between the woman he knew her as, and a more shadowed version of her. Joshua knew Faye had been wearing what she called a macrame dress, stating the style was based on a type of weaving pattern in Turkey. She also scarcely put her hair up. Usually letting the caramel brown locks flow free, if also wildly. The most she'd do is braid it or put it in a ponytail.
This shadowy version she flashed between had an old world style to it. One he'd heard his mother call victory rolls, the rest of her hair was held into a tight bun. As for the attire, it wore a stunning dress like those he'd once observed in the White Glove Society during their opulent parties. Luckily he hadn't stayed long, only being there for brief business. Though it clearly was enough time to be reminded of that event now. The dress was a glittery mauve, backless with straps holding it at her shoulders whilst hugging her figure perfectly. A fact he refused to linger on long, though the accessories didn't help. Cream color scarf shawl and matching bow belt. He couldn't help wondering if she still had that dress tucked away somewhere.
Then he saw Faye get yanked a bit and swiftly snapped out of his daze. Rushing towards her and grasping her hand mid spin. Following her into it until he had Faye facing him. Her eyes widening as he began to lead her into a waltz that swiftly turned into a rondo. He hadn't ever done it before, yet somehow was able to manage through sheer will. It started playful on his part, with him trying to steal her attention away from her attacker. Figuring that if Faye was focused on him, that'd make it easier for her to ignore this assailant. Then from there should fight back more effectively. After all, Faye's craft as a witch did involve a lot of dancing and singing to be fair. She caught on quickly in spite of her concern, managing to enjoy herself. Playing alongside him before too long, both Faye's shadow, and Joshua's own matching them in turn. Rather than Faye switching between parts of her psyche, a sign of better focus. Eventually both pairs picked up the pace and bolder with their partners. Only slowing for a brief moment when Faye grew a touch nervous at hearing Altermann speak up.
"Alright, time to get serious now. I grow tired of your games."
Joshua heard it too, and swiftly pulled Faye back into the speed of things. Bringing her back into proper focus and telling her, "Stay focused on me, just need to bolster things that little bit more."
"He's going to fight back.", she said a touch fearfully, "If he realizes who you are he'll use it to find me."
"If he so dares, then let him. He'll have us both to contend with.", he declared as his voice gained a reverb, due to his own shadow leaking through now, "I will not let him get away with any of the things he has done. Rest assured."
"Well at the moment, I just want out of this shit."
"I'm ready to go on the offensive when you are. We'll teach this mongrel a valuable lesson yet."
He saw her smirk at the idea, and knew they'd win this day before she even said anything, "Then let's give this asshole swift kick in the ass on the way out."
"Gladly. Just waiting for him to finally show himself."
Once Altermann indeed did just as Joshua predicted, he and Faye let loose. Letting him experience all the mental rage and hostility they had to bear against him. Dancing even faster more aggressively to match the energy of the situation. Altermann wasn't prepared for this in the slightest, as both shadows began tearing at him wildly. The duo let this go on for a short while before finally forcing Altermann out of the space with all they had to give him. A final hurrah ending with Joshua dipping Faye until both receded from her mindscape. Breathing heavily from the effort and energy that was used up to achieve this. Both laid next to each other on Faye's bed for a short while. Catching their breath and looking at one another silently.
Eventually, Joshua cupped Faye's face gently, "How long have you suffered him?"
"Longer than most today have been alive.", she admitted tearing up and looking askance at first, "Yourself included."
That wasn't his first time seeing her like this, but it felt harder to see this time. His hand left her face, and brushed aside the strands that were her skirt. Revealing the start of a deep looking scar that was half hidden under her body. It reminded him of his burns. He nearly touched it, but held back for her sake, "The man in your mind, who was he?", his tone was stern, words careful.
"His name is Franz Altermann. I'd rather not say much beyond that he worked with Vault Tec, made my life hell, and took my sister from me.", she broke at those last words, sobbing openly now, "What more can I really say?"
"I'd argue you could say more, but you don't need to. Not yet at least.", he immediately replied, tone softening so much she almost didn't hear him between sobs, "Right now, what you need most is security and peace."
Joshua then moved his hand from her scar to her back before slowly lifting Faye up with him. Sitting up whilst holding her close. His left arm wrapped diagonally across her back, the other loosely on her shoulders whilst he stroked her head slowly. Being a silent rock for Faye as she let everything out. The more she wept, the more he made up his mind. He would never let her go, couldn't now. His heart yearned for her, and that was more than worth protecting. He dared not tell her just yet though, still afraid of what she'd say. Especially given her state, declaring love after helping her escape an obsessive force like that? One who'd tried to kill her once if that scar was any indication. It should've killed her, she was so incredibly lucky then, God was surely with her. All thoughts that went through his mind as he glanced at the scar more.
Faye soon quieted down, but remained where she was in Joshua's arms. Feeling safer there than she ever had anywhere else before. Something she'd never had with another person, let alone she loved. Loved? Yes, she loved him, couldn't fathom life without him now. As much as she would've wanted to run whenever Altermann made threats, as he had a habit of targeting people close to her too, she realized an admittedly scary truth. She could never bring herself to run away again, she could never leave him. Slowly, Faye wrapped her arms around him too, adjusting herself to cuddle a little bit. Testing the waters with him, and quietly hoping for reciprocation. She wouldn't invade his mind to find out, not on purpose at least. Though she did fight to maintain control of herself for his sake. Besides that, she wanted desperately to hear him tell her on his own. Eventually, she finally looked him in the eyes and cupped his face in both hands. She felt him freeze, heard his breath catch. Then, as time seemed to slow around them, she pressed her face against his. The tip of her nose brushing his own, bandaged as it was.
"I love you.", Faye said impossibly soft, her own breath hitching as she tried to fight more tears. Her emotions and mind seemingly not quite done bullying her yet.
Joshua felt his own eyes sting, but held it back with all he had. Wanting to be strong for her as she needed him to be in this moment. Yet he found himself at a loss for words even now. She'd beaten him to it, yet he still couldn't just say it. Then it hit him, there was still a way he could express it. One he knew she'd understand readily, musically inclined as she was. He thought for a moment before settling on a short little track he'd only ever heard once. Yet its lyrics stuck with him, he never forgot them. Singing wasn't something he was a master at like Faye was, but it was all he could think to do. He just hoped he'd be right, that Faye would understand what he failed to put into proper wording.
I'm home, my love.
Come here, close,
you can rest your head.
I'm strong, my love.
Come here, close,
so I can feel your breath.
We don't speak I see it in your eyes.
Cus I've got the same thing on my mind.
We'll sew those wounds, kiss em away.
No I won't leave you, I'm here to stay.
Faye smiled warmly, then stole the next part from him readily. Knowing this song just as well as he did.
My love,
go on, don't stop.
Come here, close,
we'll get through the night.
Go on, my love.
It feels like home,
being by your side.
We don't speak I see it in your eyes.
Cus I've got the same thing on my mind.
We'll sew those wounds, kiss em away.
No I won't leave you, I'm here to stay.
Joshua joined Faye for the last few lyrics, glad to hold her heart just as much as she held his.
No I won't leave you, I'm here to stay.
No I won't leave you, I'm here to stay.
My love.
