｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡"Fuck off Saul."･:*:･ﾟ☆｡

･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･"I will not be that man again, and that means moving on and being better."･:*:･ﾟ☆

Octavia

"The second wave is here, maybe an hour out." Dowling states as she indicates the tracking dots on the holographic sand screen map before us. There's maybe five or so dots floating along the natural forest tracks representing the few Burned One's we managed to tag and track. "Astral-projection imaging counts the remaining 52 Burned Ones converging on the village. Lykos has taken 200 of his men to tackle them while they're still in small groups of 3 or 4."

I smile as Riven comes to stand by my side. There's scratches and marks all over the leather of his armour, the jumper underneath ripped far too many times to consider repairing but he's in one piece. I ignore the fact we're currently in a important battle planning meeting and throw my arms around him.

We're both trembling as we pull back, wavering smiles on our faces as we both fight back tears for those we have lost. I turn back to the makeshift round table surrounded by the Alfea faculty. Riven copies my actions and a blush flickers across my face as he drapes his arm across my shoulder.

"We should make our stand here." Andreas jabs a finger at the top of the hill curved around the back of the village. "We'll have the high ground and sparse tree coverage to break up the Burned One's attack. We take out as many as we can up here from the front of the pack before retreating to the village to deal with the bulk. The narrow streets and hiding places worked to our advantage earlier, we can hunt them with ease from above and have them running in circles below."

I forgot what he was like when he's in commander mode, he only ever made it to the position of lieutenant because of the anger issues but he always garnered more respect than the commanders I hear.

Sky has sealed off the catacombs beneath the School. Asmodeus whispers as I listen to Andreas rattle of group locations and commands. It should stall anyone trying to get in to break Rosalind out.

What about her breaking out on her own?

That too. Belial said they went deep into the catacombs - as far as they dared with the stakes at hand - and set off barriers at each door, junction and lock in one fell swoop.

At least there's some good news to this whole thing.

Beatrix is handling the vials, she's going to try and isolate the compounds needed to make a new stasis chamber for Rosalind.

If anyone can do that, it's Beatrix

"Okay." Silva calls for attention as he comes off his phone. "That was Irene, the last of the injured trucks had all the villagers evacuated. They're going to close the barrier and redirect power to the labs producing meds. We're going to be on our own for a few hours while we get stocked up. The injured will still be taken to Alfea but they'll have to wait outside the barrier unless they're with someone whose signature is keyed into the barrier."

"Alright," Dowling nods in understanding. "We all know our jobs today. Remember what we're fighting for and keep your heads up, no one else needs to die today."

"Tomen, I'll give you a lift into the centre of town." Harvey states and the pair peels off from our group. There's a flurry of activity and orders and I vaguely register Silva calling Riven and I over to his group.

"We're going to take the main road up to the hill." SIlva calls out to the remaining specialists. "Grab your gear, take weaponry only, we'll hide supplies and med kits throughout the city for when we fall back."

I stand tall by Riven's side and I can practically feel the pride radiating from him despite the weary exhaustion and I can't help but turn to him because he gets it. This is what we have been training for our entire lives, this is our purpose at its most basic level. To protect. He gives me a smile of understanding, nodding gently as though to say 'I see you'. I see you through the death and carnage and the lives we have lost. I see the village we are fighting to protect and the world we are fighting to build, a world of peace.

Because despite all it's fucked up trauma and bullshit reasons at times war can bring people togther. Helios, take Lykos and the Jungle shifters from the Zoúnkla allásson working together for a common goal. That would have never happened without the burned one, not with the poverty crisis they are facing alongside the Epidórpio poulí. This a chance, a real chance, not for us just to defeat the Burned Ones here but use it as a reason to advocate for better lives for our people.

Riven tugs me along, linking his pinkie through mine and leading me to the head of our group. I give him a soft smile, threading my hand fully through his as we walk behind Dowling, Silva and Andreas.

"How's Irene and Beatrix doing?" Andreas asks and I perk up at the mention of their names, tugging Riven froward as we drift from the specialists to the commanders' section and cross that invisible line of respect that divides the two.

"They're good, tired and exhausted but they're running a tight ship. They said Sky came through at one point, he was patched up swiftly by Bea-"

"Beatrix?" Drea demands. "My Beatrix who has been picking fights with an equally petty Sky all term helped him?"

"I know, I said the same." Silva states and I hold back my grin. "Apparently they bonded over alcohol and war."

"Of course they did, I'm so proud- so suddenly questioning how I raised my daughter and what genetics I gave my son."

"Laissez-faire parenting and questionable genetics?"

"Fuck off Saul."

"If you two are quite done." Dowling drawls and gives me an amused look that I don't return.

"Oh leave us be Farah." Andreas dramatically bemoans. "We're catching up on years of banter, insults and-"

"Parenting advice?"

"At least we have a different kind of war stories to share."

"Have I told you about the time Sky tried to make me a cake for my birthday and burned down the cottage?"

"HA. Sounds like the time Beatrix tried to charge her phone with her powers and ended up exploding every electrical device in the house."

"This is a serious mission, you know." Dowling teases and I snigger at the irritated snarl that leaves Riven's lips.

"And I am taking Irene's advice to not leave anything unsaid before a big battle, time is precious. Even if there wasn't the risk of death there is still the risk of having a complete mindset change." Andreas huffs, somehow both sounding like an ancient bitter old man and toddler.

"I think she meant in reference to your son and mate." Dowling states with a knowing look and I see Andreas imperceptibly stiffen. "She wanted you to talk to Sky about your father son relationship with him. Not talk to Saul about it."

"And how would you know?" Silva questions, a mocking lilt to his voice. "When was the last time you were civil with my mate."

"We're not talking about this here."

"Oh yes we are." Silva snaps and I glance back to make sure the rest of the specialists behind us are at least pretending not to listen. "I'm not going into battle and trusting you to have my back when you wouldn't have my mate's."

"This is highly unprofessional." Dowling hisses as she glares at the students behind us and I can't help but agree.

"You're right it is." Silva arches a brow. "But you have dragged us down to this level and at least I know my specialists respect Irene."

"Of course I respect her."

"Oh really? Could have fooled me."

"You have no idea what happened at East Cliff Saul." Dowling snaps and I freeze, what the fuck? This is about Eastcliff - not Saul?

"East Cliff?" Silva sucks in a breath as he shakes his head in disbelief. "This is about East Cliff, and what you thought what Irene did to kill those Burned Ones meant you could justify going after-"

"That was Rosalind's doing." Dowling snaps, whirling on Silva. "What was between us was nothing but the remnants of her desire to control Irene resurfacing."

Silva scoffs and storms ahead while Dowling rolls her eyes and quickly strides after him shouting about how it wasn't either of their faults until the noise abruptly cuts off as she uses her magic to shield their conversation for privacy.

"Are they seriously choosing now of all times to have a helios damn sitcom moment." Riven questions in disbelief.

"War brings out emotions in all of us, the threat of death can make certain things meaningless and bring clarity while allowing you to hyper focus on the things you deem important." Andreas councels and I see the father he is becoming to Sky and Riven. "They're fighting now partly to give the specialists behind us a breather, a moment of normalcy. You heard Saul and I earlier. Banter helps us relax and calm down and our soldiers pick up on our easier and follow our example of confidence and comradeship."

"I think their banter devolved into an argument." I mutter, reaching um a hand to lace through Riven's draped over my shoulder. I smirk when Andreas sighs and nods in amusement.

"Dowling was right though." I murmur gently and Riven takes the queue to quieten down and look away. "You never did talk to Sky, or his mother-"

"I have done enough to Sky's mother." Andreas answers softly. "Truth was that I was never interested in having a relationship with her but I was interested in giving Sky a stable home. We tried, it failed - spectacularly and I... I won't put either of them through that again."

I hate the look in his eyes, that one of guilt and acceptance.

"You cannot argue away the fact that I was the abuser in that story, even if Rosalind was pulling my strings I was still the face she saw burning down our home and nearly killing her and our son."

"I will not be that man again, and that means moving on and being better."

"You are better." My voice is hoarse and I don't bother to hide the tears glimmering in my eyes. "You are so much better and you can't blame yourself for not wanting to be in a relationship during a war. Silva said it earlier, war either makes love something to fight for and protect or has us running in fear of the worst kind of heartbreak."

Andreas turns to where Silva and Dowling are walking tensely side by side, heads beant down as they converse .

"When did the old man get so wise?" He mumbles but I can see the heartbreak in his eyes at all the time they lost together.

"I think the grey hairs Sky gave him might be the reason." Riven smirks but Andreas turns to him, something akin to a revelation flickering across his eyes.

"Silva told me after our fight that I should fight for my family. I conquered the fear - I came back and met Sky but he said that if I wanted to keep you all I needed to start fighting for you. Claiming you all properly as my kin and then protecting our omada with all my worth."

"I don't like that tone." I hiss, eyes narrowing on him as I recognize Sky's 'I'm about to do some hot as shit alpha-hole protective bullshit' mixed with Beatrix vicious words of justification. "I know that look and I know those words. Whatever sacrificial bullshit you are thinking of, you better drop or so help me Helios-"

"Riven, look after Octavia. I need to got talk to those idiots up ahead and get them to drop that fucking shield."

"We don't need any more public drama or declaration either!" I cry, fighting the urge to wave my hands around, especially as Riven tries to hide his unbothered chuckles. "Unless you're about to-"

"Octavia." he commands and I freeze at the no bullshit parent tone. "I am a grown male, I am doing better now mentally and it's time both you and Beatrix relax from feeling as though you have to take care of me."

"But then who- who's going to-"

"Me and if this ridiculous plan works then we're going to have a whole damn omada to support us officially."

I open my mouth to make another argument but he's already striding ahead to where Silva and Dowling are now engaged in a more heated conversation.

"Relax, Pix." Riven soothes, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "He's an adult, he can take care of himself. Not to mention I've been waiting for this for weeks."

"You know what he's talking about?" I demand, whirling on my mate as I glare at him. "Tell me."

"No."

"Riven."

"Octavia."

"Fine, tell me how you know at least."

"We were talking about it a few days-"

"You said weeks!"

"I exaggerated for effect!"

"Oh you little-"

The sound of muffled curses has us turning to where Andreas has reached Dowling and Silva at the top of the hill. The specialists spread out, too engaged in setting up armour, refill stands, hidden traps and supplies to bother looking at the adults. I nervously nibble at my lip as Andreas says something to Silva. Silva looks shocked, angry-shocked- unless that relief?

"Oh i swear to helios Andreas better not be fucking challenging him for Irene-" I'm cut off my a soft kiss to my lips, I stare up at riven with wide eyes as he smirks down at me. "Pixie... stop rambling, it's fine."

"No, I'm done being scared." Andreas' voice drifts over the field and I see Kat and Dane perk up from their posts along with various other specialists. Why helios, why. Why must you have made this blundering idiot pass down his flare for dramatics to not one but three children- maybe four. Why did you have to make him so dramatic?

I quickly snap a shield of distortment down around us so that none of the other students can see or hear what is going on. My power protests slightly at being forced to create illusions of us getting reading from light but I don't let that deter me and push through until all the 3 specialists who were watching have turned away.

No more public displays until further notice.

"You said we were out here fighting for our families, for our Omadas and our mates, Farrah. Yet you have allowed Rosalind to twist your mind because I know you would never be this petty, this naive and foolish. You know it as well. Which is why you had the damn barrier power connected to her stasis chamber as well."

"You are living in fear, Farrah." Andreas whispers and I see something crack in Dowling and for the first time I consider that she might have been controlled like Bea and I, like Andreas. "I was living in fear for a long time because of Rosalind, fear of losing those I loved and it drove me away from them into the arms of another. But I am done, done letting her control me, done living in fear and I am done pretending that I don't have a problem with you."

"With me?" She arches and eyebrow in challenge but I can see the doubt forming behind her eyes. "You have a problem with me? Forgive me for moving on from my old fears from the first war, for trying to build a life and find happiness-"

"With Saul."

"Yes, it wasn't some vindictive scheme or plot against Irene, for Helios sake the two of us flirted throughout the entirety of our college years until Rosalind put an end to it but it did build over time. We were friends- isn't that the best way to start. Isn't that how you started with Sky's mother - Slowly over time?"

"Yes, I suppose it was." Andreas seems to mull over his words and I hesitantly look at Silva and freeze at the hesitant hope and disbelief in his eyes. "So how long exactly have you been panting after my mate's cock?"

That lovesick fucker.

A/N: The plot of this chapter was quite frankly just Andreas off to go get his man.

this whole chapter was written because of @lokiklous 's hilarious comment of being addicted to my book and "Since you're my dealer I need another fix like now"  so this chapter was written in haste and is quite frankly a 'crack fic' and a break from the actual battle but I couldn't resist adding it in.

Did anyone guess that Andreas and Silva were mates? It was going to be revealed sooner but the AndreasXIrene comments had be laughing too much to ruin the fun.

(And I have updated the cover of the book)