Finally finished this the version of Titus and Gadriel's relationship are influenced by @victorcreedirl (tw for child experimentation and implied child abuse please read with caution)
Titus stepped off the thunderhawk, followed by Chairon and Gadriel, looking up at what looked to be an old abandoned hospital. He got hold of the Captain, telling him they had found the location of the distress signal and that they were heading in. Archeran confirmed that it was the location, telling them to be careful, as they wouldn't know what they would find in that building. Ending the transmission for now, he turned to the others, who listened intently to what he had to say. "Alright, we go in and sweep the place, see what we can find," he told the two. Both gave a "Sir" in response and followed him as he led the way in their bolters at the ready. Prepared just in case this was a trap set by the enemy to lure them in. Stepping slowly, they looked from room to room, finding nothing so far, thinking for a moment, he knew they'd have to split up to cover more ground. Turning to the other two, he told them his plan, "We can cover more ground this way, and we can keep communications open if we find something," he tells them. Titus watched as both agreed to the plan, even if Gadriel looked as if he wanted to protest at first, but decided against it. Titus said he'd take the upper floors, while Chairon said he'd take the second one, leaving Gadriel with the rest of the lower level and basement. Wishing each other luck, the three split off as the two went to their respective floors.
Gadriel was left alone as he finished the rest of the lower floor, still finding nothing. Finishing the sweep of the floor, he got a hold of Titus and Chairon, telling them he was going to the basement now. Entering, he slowly walked the long, dark hallways, seeing nothing until coming to what looked to be a large door. Radioing the others, he informed them of what he had found, saying he was going to go check it out, ignoring Titus's warning to wait. Opening the door, he slowly walked in, alert as he looked around, seeing nothing until a noise nearby drew his attention. Turning quickly, he aimed his bolter and slowly walked where he thought he saw movement. Approaching slowly, he stopped and called out, "Who's there? Show yourself!" to whoever it was, bolter still aimed. Hearing the noise again, he watched the area intently as a figure slowly came out. What he saw made him go pale as he tried to process what he was seeing. A small child,though the age was hard to discern, wearing a gown of sorts with injuries covering their body. Not only that they look to be underweight, though how severely he couldn't tell. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he slowly lowered his bolter and knelt to the others' level. Putting his bolter away he quickly picked them up into his arms and started to make his way out of the room only to be stopped when he saw Titus and Charion. Who looked from him to the child in his arms and back again as if processing what they were seeing.
The two didn’t say anything at first until Chairon moved over to him asking where he found the child and Titus got on the vox requesting an emergency evac. Gadriel looked to Charion “I found him over there” he told him voice laced with worry as he pointed in the direction of where he found the one in his arms. Chiron walked over to where his battle brother had pointed and knelt down picking up two things off the ground. One was a slightly tattered bag of sorts and the other was a stuffed toy that looked to be a patchwork bunny. He put the bunny in the bag and headed back over to Titus and Gadriel signaling he was ready to go now, letting the two lead the way out of the room. All three astartes ran before finally making it out of the building just as the thunderhawk landed. Moving quickly they got on to the thunderhawk letting the two pilots know they were ready also informing them of the extra person they had with them. Not missing the way the two pilots looked at each other for a moment before simply deciding to just take off. The three ultramarines sitting in the back with one holding the child in their arms not saying a word the whole time.
When they finally landed they stepped out to come face to face with Acheran and Leandros as the two stood next to each other watching them. The captain looked to be about to say something but stopped when he saw the child in Gadriel's arms and the state they were in. Neither man said anything for a moment just stared before Acheran finally spoke “get the child to the apothecaries then report in so you can explain everything” he told the three before turning away. Leandros stayed for a moment longer looking over the boy with what looked to be worry before also walking away. If Titus had to guess it was probably for corruption but figured once the boy was in a better state that would be checked for later. Looking over he saw that Gadriel had already headed in the direction of the med-bay with Chairon following close behind him. Giving a soft sigh he followed soon after knowing that a scolding would be waiting for one of them for disobeying orders of a superior officer. Entering the medical area he watched as one of the apothecaries took the child from Gadriel and got to work. As the apothecaries worked the three left the room to go report to Acheran on what had happened down on the planet. As they walked Titus told Gadriel he would give him a chance to explain what had happened wanting to let his fellow Ultramarine tell his side of the story. Gadriel looked at him giving a thankful smile, agreeing despite not saying a word to this trusting the others' decision.
Walking to where Acheran stood the man asked what had happened down on the planet looking between the three of them. Gadriel stepped forward after Titus gave him a nod to do so, keeping to his promise to let the other explain himself to the Captain. At first Acheran was a bit annoyed at the other disobeying orders but understood he was following his gut “just don’t let it happen again understand” he tells him. The three gave a quick salute before leaving to go clean up and settled down for a bit of R&R walking to where the baths were. After cleaning up and putting on something more comfortable they went their separate ways. Chiron went to his room to get some rest and read a book, while Titus and Gadriel went to go to the range. Only to be stopped when a noise from the med-bay drew their attention causing the three to look at each other then back again dashing to what was causing the commotion. Rounding the corner into the room they saw a few pieces of medical equipment knocked over onto the floor. Nearby one of the serfs was holding their hand while an apothecary was patching them up, the two talking in hushed tones. Looking over they saw another kneeling on the floor trying to coax someone out of their hiding corner talking in a gentle tone. Moving to get a closer look and possibly help out they stopped when they saw the child from earlier huddled in the corner. The boy looked to be muttering something over and over again as he started to rock tears going down their face.
Gadriel moved closer to the boy, taking them into his arms ignoring the pain he felt when the other bit him on the arm. He just held them and spoke softly to the boy hugging the other close to his chest letting his double hearts calm the boy. Softly he started to sing to the boy as he rocked him as he gently played with the boy's hair doing his best to soothe the boy. Titus moved closer to them and knelt on the ground reaching out slowly to not startle the smaller male rubbing his back gently. As the boy sobbed against his chest “N-Nine no mean to be b-bad, promise b-be g-good” he said between sobs and gasps of breath. But eventually the two astartes got him to calm down as the smaller finally passed out in Gadriel’s arms who slowly stood up. Titus standing along with him and asking if it would be okay if the two of them stayed here to help with the boy. At first the apothecary was against it but after a bit of thinking and persuasion from the other agreed to it. Gadriel during all this sat over on the medical berth holding the other still hugging him gently rubbing circles on his back. He looked over as Titus came over to him “I’m gonna get us some food and see if I can find him something too” he said to him. Before leaving he bent down to pick up what looked to be a stuffed toy off the ground gently tucking it into the boy's arms. Giving a quick pat on the others shoulder as he walked out of the room leaving the two as Gadriel to softly started to hum.
