Trigger Warning

Strangulation
Death

"F-Fox. Hey, Fox," Rex whispered, shaking Fox gently but not letting his eyes leave the spot they were fixed on.

"What," Fox mumbled, curling closer to him.

"Fox," Rex said, shaking him harder. Fox groaned but peeled his eyes open and sat up on the bed. He looked to where Rex was looking to find the silhouette of someone standing by the door with their gun raised and pointing at the bed. He sighed and rolled his eyes as he flopped back down on the bed.

"Thorn," he said with a sigh. Rex tensed up at that, remembering that Thorn seems to have an intense hatred for him and wants to feed him to a bantha apparently.

"Fox," Thorn replied.

"What're you doing," Fox asked curling back up against Rex who was yet to look away from Thorn.

"At first I was checking to make sure the shabuir didn't kidnap you but now I'm making sure he doesn't kill you in your sleep," Thorn replied and Rex felt insulted. Sure, he got angry and punched Fox and almost killed him but that part was an accident, he never wanted to hurt Fox that badly.

"He's not going to kill me in my sleep," Fox groaned.

"You never know, he's already almost killed you once," Thorn pointed out and Rex stiffened.

"You're turning into a creep like Bacara vod'ika, stop watching us sleep," Fox mumbled. Thorn stiffened before lowering the gun.

"Oh force, I am," he gasped.

"Yes, you are, so go away," Fox said, grabbing Rex's shoulder and yanking him down so he could cuddle closer. He was tired, really tired. He had been stressed about torrent coming, then he had a panic attack, then had a long emotional talk with Rex where they both apologised and made up (his vod'ika doesn't hate him), so now he just wants to sleep.

"But we hate Rex," Thorn whined.

"No, you hate Rex, I love Rex," Fox said with a sigh.

"Fine, I hate Rex. I can't leave you alone with him, I don't trust him," Thorn said.

"Then don't leave me alone with him," Fox said plainly.

"Uh, you just told me to go away and now you're telling me to stay," Thorn said in confusion.

"For force sake Thorn. Either leave or shut up and join us," Fox groaned.

"Wait, what. No, leave, don't stay," Rex said quickly.

"Nope, I'm not leaving you two alone. Move over," Thorn said, dropping his blaster and removing his helmet. Fox grabbed Rex's waist and tugged back, moving Rex so he now laid between him and the wall. He pushed Rex closer to the wall and moved closer, pressing up against him while Thorn slipped into the bed behind him. Fox relaxed as Thorn curled up against him, cuddling into his back and slipping an arm around his waist.

"If you're worried about me and just want to be close, you don't have to use Rex as a target," Fox whispered.

"That's not what happened," Thorn said, tightening his hold and tucking his head into the crook of Fox's neck, letting out a long breath.

"Sure. Get some sleep, both of you and don't kill each other while I'm asleep," Fox said quietly.

"Fine," Thorn huffed, letting his eyes slip closed.

"Rex'ika," Fox said, patting Rex's waist.

"I haven't said I want to kill Thorn but sure," Rex said with a sigh, resting his head over Fox's chest. The room went quiet at that and Fox just relaxing, feeling soothed by both of his vod'ika's curled up against him.

"Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum," Fox whispered into the room. Thorn's arm instantly tightened.

"143," he whispered and Fox smiled.

"Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum ori'vod," Rex mumbled back. Fox stayed awake, listening until he heard both of their breaths evening out as they fell asleep. It felt comforting and safe to have his vode around him, sleeping peacefully and it didn't take long for him to drift off as well.

~~~~~

"Wait, wait. So you were just standing there watching Buir sleep," Thire asked with a chuckle as he scooped some food into his mouth.

"Hey, I was watching over him, making sure he was safe," Thorn said, rolling his eyes.

"Right, and that involves standing in the dark creepily with a gun pointed at him while you watched him sleep," Dogma deadpanned, making Stone snort and inhale his water. Fox chuckled and pat his back firmly until he recovered.

"Okay, for the record, it wasn't pointed at Fox, it was pointed at Rex," Thorn said.

"Right, and that makes it so much better," Hound said, rolling his eyes.

"What, I was protecting our ori'vod," Thorn said, desperately trying to protect his actions. There was some movement and Fox glanced to the left to see Dogma dodging between everyone's limbs to come over to him. He grabbed his plate and placed it onto the bed he was leaning back against, opening his arms and allowing Dogma to drop into his lap. He moved the ad around until he was sat between his legs and leant back against his chest.

"Hello ad'ika," he whispered, nuzzling his nose behind Dogma's ear and making him whine and curl up. Fox chuckled and pressed a gentle kiss to Dogma's hairline before pulling back.

"You doing okay," he asked gently, tuning out the conversation still happening around them. They were having a sort of small group meet up with the command staff and Dogma so he could have some company while he ate. The 501st have been on the cruiser for two days already so Dogma has taken to eating in his room so he wouldn't risk running into one of the boys in blue.

"I'm okay," Dogma said with a nod.

"Are you sure? If you're getting uncomfortable with the 501st being here, I can try to get them to go or we can see if we can stay on one of the other cruisers for a bit," Fox said gently.

"I'm okay, I promise. I would tell you if I'm struggling," Dogma said. Fox let out a breath and nodded wrapping his arms around Dogma's waist and resting his chin on his shoulder.

"How are things with Kix, Jesse and Tup," he asked.

"Good. I'm still struggling with knowing how to act but they're being really sweet and patient. It's nice," Dogma said quietly, his hands coming down to grab one of Fox's hands and play with his fingers. Fox just let him, smiling fondly as he threaded and unthreaded their fingers together.

"Having fun there," he asked with a light chuckle.

"Sorry," Dogma whispered, going to let go.

"It's fine, you don't have to stop," he said quickly and Dogma immediately went back to his fiddling. Things sometimes get a bit much for Dogma or he gets overwhelmed, so he likes to fidget with something.

"You feeling up to seeing anyone else," Fox asked and Dogma thought about it for a few seconds.

"You said Fives knows I'm alive, right," Dogma asked nervously and Fox winced.

"Yeah. Again, sorry about that," he said with a sigh.

"It's okay Buir, it was an accident. Does-. Did he sound like he wanted to see me," Dogma asked nervously.

"He was shocked to learn that you were alive but he was happy. He wouldn't let me dodge the subject after I accidentally let your name slip. Said you were his vod'ika and wanted to know," Fox explained.

"So, you think he would like to see me," Dogma asked and Fox nodded into his shoulder.

"He hasn't looked for me yet and hasn't told anyone either. Which means he's respecting my wishes to be left alone," Dogma said slowly.

"It does. It means he cares about you," Fox said with a hum.

"I think that's enough for me to be able to trust him. I-I wouldn't mind seeing him after he gets back from the mission," Dogma said.

"I think he would love that. He might be a little bit busy when he gets back, hopefully, but I can let him know you'd like to see him," Fox said with a nod.

"Thank you," Dogma whispered. Fox smiled softly and ruffled his hair lightly.

"I'm feeling severely left out," was the only warning Fox and Dogma got before Thire flopped down and laid back over their legs.

"Please, you're so needy. Someone gets one little bit of attention from Buir and you're feeling left out," Dogma said, rolling his eyes.

"What can I say, I thrive off attention," Thire said with a grin. Dogma frowned and poked Thire's forehead, making the older swipe at his hand. Fox just watched the two of them quietly, feeling calm and relaxed. It felt so foreign to him. To feel so at ease, to have no stress as he watched the his two ade. He felt eyes on him so he glanced up to see Thorn watching him with a fond gaze and he grinned back. They've been through so much but things are changing now, things are getting better. This is what they deserved. This is what his men deserve, his brothers, his family.

~~~~~

"Look at you, so pathetic. I thought that perhaps my training would have made you improve and yet here you are, laying on my floor and bleeding onto my beautiful carpet." Fox let out a shaky breath from where he was laid out on the floor, his body thrumming with the buzz from the red guards weapons, blooding dripping down his face and pooling onto the ground. His entire body was flashing with pain, so intense he felt like he couldn't move. But he had to, he had to get up. He grit his teeth and pushed through the pain, moving his hands underneath himself and straining himself to push himself to his knees. The pain shot through him but he kept his face carefully blank, knowing that if he showed emotion, things would be worse. He managed to get his feet underneath himself, standing up shakily and folding his hands back into parades rest. He could feel the blood trailing down his face, still dripping down to the floor but he made no move to stop it. He couldn't, he wasn't allowed to move.

"Look at you, so weak," Palpatine sneered, peering at him from where he was sitting behind his desk.

"You're weak, aren't you Commander," he asked.

"Yes Sir," Fox agreed immediately, locking his muscles as best as he could to try and stop his shaking.

"What a shame, that you haven't improved. Perhaps I should give you some motivation, yes," Palpatine asked with a sigh of disappointment. Fox kept his face carefully blank, not showing the fear he felt at that statement. But he had to answer and there was only one answer he could give.

"Yes Sir," he said, his voice even.

"Call CC-4477 and have him come here immediately," Palpatine said. Fox hesitated, he couldn't help it. It's Thire, it's his ad'ika.

"Now Commander, or perhaps I will put through this decommissioning paperwork for this squad. It's already filled out, won't take too long," Palpatine said, his eyes narrowing menacingly as the room got colder. Fox pushed through his fear and dialed Thire on his comm.

"Commander Fox," Thire answered almost immediately. It was weird to hear Thire answer his comm in that way without his usual cheerful quips. But Thire knew, everyone knew where he was right now, they had to know.

"Commander Thire, you have been requested at the Supreme Chancellors office, please come immediately," Fox said firmly.

"Yes Sir," Thire replied before ending the comm. Fox lowered his arm and placed it behind his back once again. Palpatine just let out a bored hum and looked down at some flimsiwork in front of himself. Fox was left standing in front of the desk at parades rest until the door opened and Thire walked inside. Thire immediately went over and stood beside Fox, standing at parades rest. His helmet was still on but Fox could tell he was worried and trying not to look over at him. He must've been a sight with the blood covering his face and it hurt that Thire was being subject to seeing him like that when he always tried to keep him as far away from it all as he possibly could.

"CC-4477, remove your helmet," Palpatine and Thire did as asked, clipping it to his belt and keeping his face emotionless.

"Commander Fox, I believe you need some motivation for your improvement so I'm going to give you an incentive," Palpatine said, putting down the paper and looking back up. Fox clenched his fist behind the back, knowing whatever Palpatine wanted, it would not be fun and he would feel incredibly guilty for it. It's likely that he will make them fight, or even just make him hurt Thire in some way and that will kill him. He doesn't want to hurt Thire, not his ad'ika.

"CC-1010 execute order 36." CC-1010 went rigid, his gaze hardening as he straightened out. He turned to the traitor beside him, his eyes narrowing.

"Wait, what. No, Fox," the traitor stuttered, raising his hands up and stumbling back as CC-1010 pulled out his pistol. CC-1010 raised the pistol and levelled it with the traitor.

"Fox, it's me, it's Thire. Fox please don't. Bui-." The traitor's voice cut off as CC-1010 pulled the trigger and they crumpled to the floor.

"Very good CC-1010. Hopefully now you will have learnt your lesson. Clean up this mess, I want it gone by the time I'm back," Sidious said as he stood up.

"Yes my Lord," CC-1010 said, standing at attention. Sidious walked past CC-1010 and out of his office, the door closing with a hint of finality. And with that, the order broke. Fox gasped, the pistol slipping from his hand and thudding against the carpeted floor. His heart stopped as he looked down at the crumpled form on the floor.

"N-No. Th-Thire. A-Ad'ika," he gasped out, his breaths coming out short and sharp as he dropped to his knees beside Thire. He reached out shakily and grabbed Thire's shoulders, turning his body over.

"No. No, Thire. Please, no. NO," he screamed out as he saw Thire's wide and unseeing eyes. There was a clean hole through Thire's heart, smoke curling around the edges from the blaster bolt Fox just put through his ad'ika. He let out a sob and gently slipped an arm under Thire's back, scooping up his upper body and cradling it in his arms like it was something precious. Which it was, his ad'ika was precious, his first love in life, the person he would go to the ends of the world to protect, to keep safe. The person he just put a blaster bolt through without any hesitation. He cried out in anguish, clutching Thire's limp body closer to himself, dropping his head down so his forehead rested against Thire's as his shoulders shook with every sob.

"I'm so s-sorry," Fox cried, pulling back slightly. He moved his hand and gently ran it over Thire's face, closing his eyelids so it looked as if he was merely sleeping. But he wasn't sleeping. Sleeping means you would wake up but Thire would never wake up. Because Fox killed him. Fox killed his ad'ika and he was never going to come back. It felt like he had ripped his own heart.

"Ni ceta, ner ad'ika," he whispered, brushing Thire's hair back softly. His hand shook slightly as cupped Thire's face, a new round of sobs shaking his body. Thire is dead. He's gone and he's never going to make up because he killed him. He killed his ad'ika, a vod. He killed his own child. Without hesitation. His breathing quickened once again, only this time it didn't stop, he couldn't stop it. His throat felt like it was closing up, his chest tightening. He was dying. It was killing him. But he did nothing to stop it because he deserved it. So instead, as he struggled to breathe, he just kept his eyes on Thire. His eyes started to blur from the tears, his heart racing, but he didn't look away. He couldn't look away. He needed to keep watching, he needed to die looking at what he did, remembering that he killed his own child.

**

"FOX WAKE UP." Fox jolted up with a gasp, his heart racing and his breathing quick.

"Fox, hey, Buir." Fox blinked quickly, his vision clearing, seeing he was in his bed on the cruiser. He looked to the right where the voice was coming from and his heart stopped.

"Thire," he croaked out.

"You're okay Fox, you just had a bad dream," Thire said, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Thire, ner ad'ika," he whispered, reaching out a shaky hand to cup Thire's face.

"Uh, yeah, are you okay," Thire asked with a frown.

"You're alive," Fox whispered.

"What? Of cour-. Oh. Yeah Buir, I'm alive, I'm okay. We're all okay, we're safe," Thire said softly.

"Move over," he added as he stood up. Fox did as asked and Thire slipped into the bed beside him, laying down and snuggling up against Fox. Fox hugged him tightly, his hand moving until it rested under Thire's heart. The heart that he thought he put a blaster bolt through.

"I killed you," he whispered shakily, feeling Thire tense in his arms.

"No you didn't. I'm still alive, I'm right here," Thire said firmly.

"It felt so real. Palpatine, h-he ordered me to kill you and I did. I didn't hesitate Thire, I sh-shot you through the heart," Fox choked out. Thire let out a pained hum and snuggled closer to Fox.

"You didn't, you didn't hurt me. You would never hurt me Fox," Thire said firmly.

"I didn't have a choice Thire. H-He gave me an order and my mind was gone. When I snapped back, you were dead at my feet," Fox said quietly, his hands slowly and unconsciously holding Thire even tighter.

"Your eyes, they were wide open but you weren't seeing anything. You were in my arms but you weren't holding me," Fox whispered hauntingly.

"Okay, you would never hurt me if you had a choice," Thire said with a sigh.

"I wish I could stop anything from ever hurting you," Fox said with a sigh, pressing a kiss to the traitors hair-. Fox frowned in confusion, shaking his head as his heart skipped a beat.

"Thire," he whispered.

"Yeah," Thire replied, glancing up.

"What," Fox asked, furrowing his eyes in confusion.

"You said my name," Thire pointed out.

Execute the traitor

"R-Right," Fox said shakily, clenching his hand to calm himself.

"You okay." Fox blinked and glanced up again and frowned.

Execute order 36, execute the traitor

Fox let out a shaky breath, running his fingers through Thire's hair gently, raking his fingers over his scalp. The tr-Thire's eyes slipped closed in bliss, leaning gently into Fox's hand.

EXECUTE ORDER 36! KILL THE TRAITOR!

1010's hand clenched in the hair, gripping it tightly before he swung his arm, slamming the traitors head into the wall. Hard. The traitor cried out in surprise but 1010 used the grip on his hand to slam him down on the mattress, climbing on top of him.

"Shit, Fox, kark, snap out of it," the traitor gasped. 1010 didn't hesitate though, he swung his fist down into the traitors face, hitting it hard.

"FOX, STOP. Fox's it's me," the traitor begged. 1010 growled angrily and wrapped his hand around the traitors throat, using the grip to pin him to the mattress. The traitor gasped, his throat bobbing and flexing underneath 1010's hands as he tightened his grip. The traitor bucked his hips, trying to buck 1010 off but he was firm and wouldn't be moved. The traitors hands grasped around his wrists, scratching at them desperately as his face started to turn red. His mouth opened in a choked off garble as his fighting slowed, got weaker. 1010 clenched his hands even tighter, completely cutting off any air supply. He watched as the struggling slowed down to nothing, the traitors hands falling limply to the bed as his eyes slipped closed. Objective complete, the traitor has been executed.

Fox froze and slowly released his grip, ripping his hands from where they were wrapped around Thire's neck.

"Th-Thire," he whispered, his eyes going wide as he shakily cupped Thire's cheeks.

"N-No, no. Thire, I didn't-. Wake up," Fox whispered, patting Thire's cheeks lightly. His eyes were closed, he's just sleeping. He's sleeping, he has to be sleeping.

"A-Ad'ika, p-please, gedet'ye," Fox begged, a tear slipping from his eyes.

"THIRE," he cried, moving his hand down to rest over Thire's heart, to feel his heartbeat. His heartbeat that wasn't there, there was no steady thump, thump showing that he was alive, he was safe.

"No. I didn't, I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to ad'ika, oh force. No, what have I done," Fox cried. He slipped a hand under Thire's upper back, lifting his up and letting out a sob as Thire's head hung limply back, showing more clearly the hand shaped bruises over his throat. His hand shaped bruises.

"Ni ceta. Ni ceta, ad'ika. Forgive me, I'm so sorry," Fox cried, clutching Thire's limp body to himself.

"What have I done. It was a dream, it was supposed to be a dream. We were safe, he's gone. We were supposed to be safe, be okay," Fox said, dropping his head down to rest on Thire's. He sniffled and glanced around the room, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do. He just killed one of his kids, strangled him with his own hands. He killed him. His eyes landed on the DC-17 sitting on the desk beside the bed and he reached out slowly, grabbing it in his hands. He shifted slightly so he was sat beside Thire, pulling him into his lap and resting his head against his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry Thire," he whispered, nuzzling his head closer and letting out a breath. He deserves this. He can't live with himself for killing his ad'ika. Not just killing him, strangling him. He strangled Thire to death with his own bare hands. He clutched him close with one hand, lifting the other one that was wrapped tightly around the pistol.

"I-I'll see you soon," he said quietly, pressing one last kiss to Thire's hair as the tears streamed down his face.

"I'll see you soon," he whispered, bringing the gun up and pressing it against his temple.

"Forgive me." And then he pulled the trigger.

~~~~~

He awoke with a startled gasp, his hand coming up to clutch his chest as it heaved. He jumped as he felt a hand on his arm, looking around wildly.

"Fox? You good." His eyes finally settled on the body beside him, his throat closing up.

"Th-Thorn? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I sh-should. I should be dead. I'm sorry. No, I shouldn't be h-here. I ca-."

"Fox, hey, calm down. Just breathe okay. Whatever you think happened, hasn't. It was just a bad dream," Thorn said, switching on the light with a frown. Fox was pale and sweating, his eyes bloodshot and his chest heaving.

"Fox," Thorn said, reaching out but Fox jolted away, falling off the bed completely. Thorn ripped the sheets off and jumped off the bed, kneeling beside Fox who was beginning to hyperventilate.

"Ori'vod, breathe, everything is okay. We're on the cruiser, we're above Coruscant, Palpatine is dead, we're safe," Thorn said quickly, trying to calm Fox down but he couldn't touch him, he didn't want to make it worse.

"No, no, no. I killed him. Th-Thorn I'm so sorry, I killed him," Fox cried.

"Killed who," Thorn asked with a frown.

"Th'ika. I k-killed Thire," Fox cried, clutching at his head. Thorn frowned in confusion, glancing at the doorway before turning his attention back to Fox.

"What are you talking about, Thire's fine. He's with Dogma and the shinies, they're having a cuddle pile at the moment," Thorn said quickly.

"No. N-No, I killed him. I-I was with Palpatine and he c-called Thire up. H-He gave me an order and I sh-shot him, I shot Thire in the h-head," Fox cried. Thorn's heart clenched and he shuffled closer.

"Fox, it was just a dream. Palpatine is dead, he can't hurt you anymore. Thire is perfectly fine, you never hurt him. It was just a dream," Thorn said firmly.

"I know, I kn-know, b-but then I woke up. I woke up Thorn and I killed him again. I KILLED HIM. I STRANGLED HIM," Fox screamed out before breaking down into sobs. Thorn was confused, having no idea what Fox was talking about, what he meant.

"H-He was consoling me and then I h-heard the order and I snapped. I strangled him u-until he died, I k-killed him," Fox said, curling up and wrapping his arms around his knees tightly.

"That was just a dream ori'vod, Thire is okay. I promise you," Thorn said slowly.

"No, no I killed him. I th-thought I killed myself but I d-didn't, I'm still h-here," Fox gasped out. Thorn couldn't help himself, he moved forwards and hugged Fox tightly, holding him even when he struggled.

"You didn't Fox, no ones hurt. Please listen to me, it was all just a dream," Thorn begged.

"You don't understand. I felt it. My h-hands they were a-around his n-neck. He tried to st-stop me but h-he couldn't. He just sl-slowly stopped struggling. H-He-."

"Thorn? It's the middle of the night, you're going to wake the shinies." Fox went silent, holding his breath as he sniffled and looked to see Thorn with his vambrace in his hands.

"Yeah, I know. Fox had a bad dream and I thought he could do with hearing your voice," Thorn said, glancing over at Fox.

"What was it about? Should I go to you guys," Thire asked worriedly and Fox let out a choked breath. He scrambled closer to Thorn, reaching out a shaky hand to clutch the vambrace. He didn't pull it from Thorn's grip, just held it tightly as if it was the last thing keeping him grounded.

"Yeah, may-."

"N-No, Thorn, no. H-He can't come here," Fox said quickly.

"He's fine Fox, I'm just showing you that. You didn't hurt him, he's not dead," Thorn said gently.

"No, I can't. I just, I keep killing him. I'm going to kill him. I d-don't even know if this is real. Am I awake, or am I g-going to just keep k-killing him," Fox cried, making Thorn freeze.

"I'm heading over right now. Make sure he doesn't do something stupid."

"No, he can't. Thorn-."

"Just breathe Fox, it's okay," Thorn said, stroking his arm comfortingly.

"H-He's alive," Fox asked shakily.

"He's alive and he's safe. The 327th and 104th got us out of the senate remember. And now we're on Bly's cruiser, with all of our men, all of our vod'ika, they're safe," Thorn said firmly.

"I w-woke up and then I killed him. Wh-What if I do it again. He's not safe Th-Thorn. Our a-ad'ika isn't safe with m-me," Fox said fearfully.

"Yes, he is. I think you're just a little freaked out because of the dream you just had," Thorn said, tugging Fox closer and moving him so his head rested against his shoulder.

"I woke up Thorn, I wo-."

"You thought you woke up, Fox, but you didn't. That's one messed up dream where you thought you woke up but it was only in the dream. You're awake now though, I promise you. Thire is going to get here and you will see he's alive and safe," Thorn said, running his fingers through Fox's hair.

"I'm going to hurt him Thorn. I can still hear his voice in my head," Fox whispered.

"Thire's," Thorn asked in confusion.

"No, Palpatine's," Fox replied quietly, a shudder shooting through his body.

"Is he telling you to hurt Thire," Thorn asked and Fox nodded.

"He was punishing me, for failing to improve so he brought Thire in. He gave me the order, 36 and I just, I pulled out my gun and shot Thire without even hesitating," Fox whispered and Thorn winced.

"It was just the dream okay, you're not going to hurt him," Thorn said softly.

"Thorn they're still in our heads. Those, those chip or whatever Fives said they were. They're still there. What if something happens, they malfunction or something and we kill someone," Fox asked, making Thorn frown.

"Do you think that's what this was? Maybe it was trying to tell you something," Thorn asked.

"Maybe. If it is that, I really wish it told me in a nicer way. I can still see Thire's eyes, they were so blank," Fox whispered, turning his head to bury it in Thorn's shoulder.

"We'll talk to one of the Generals tomorrow, see if we can figure this out. Fives took his chip out right? Maybe we can," Thorn said softly. Fox's body shivered again but he nodded, clinging tighter to Thorn.

"You're not going to hurt him but just in case you're still worried, know that I'm here and I'll keep both of you safe okay, I promise," Thorn said. Fox sniffled but nodded, letting out a breath. He felt ridiculous clinging to Thorn like a cadet over a mere nightmare. But he couldn't help it and he needed it so he stayed how he was. Not long later, the door to the room opened and Thire slipped inside. Fox tensed up but, Thorn gave him a gentle squeeze.

"Is Buir okay," Thire whispered and Fox squeezed his eyes closed to stop the tears.

"Really bad dream. He killed you, then thought he woke up and killed you again so now he's scared he's going to hurt you," Thorn explained.

"Kark, that's horrible," Thire said, walking over and sitting down on the other side of Fox. Fox shivered and clung closer to Thorn, shying away from Thire. He's there but what if he isn't real. What if he is real and Fox just kills him.

"Buir, it's okay, I'm not hurt. You'd never hurt me," Thire said softly and Fox let out a sob.

"Did I say something bad," Thire asked worriedly, shifting closer.

"Y-You said that r-right before I k-killed you," Fox gasped out. Thire let out a sad noise and wrapped his arms around Fox, cuddling close. Fox tensed at first but slowly melted as he realised Thire was there, he was alive and safe.

"Can you hear him right now," Thorn asked gently. Fox closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to see if he had any voice in his head. Anything calling Thire a traitor, telling him to kill him.

"No," he whispered.

"Good. See, I told you it was just the dream," Thorn said, letting out a breath of relief.

"How karked up is it that your dream made you think he woke up, just so it could freak you out by making you kill me again," Thire said with a huff. Fox sniffled and quickly let go of Thorn to turn around and hug Thire tightly instead. Thire hugged him back, tucking his head into Fox's neck.

"You're okay, you're safe," Fox whispered, clenching his hand in Thire's shirt.

"I am, we're all safe. You haven't hurt me," Thire said.

"I thought I killed you," Fox said sadly.

"You didn't. You didn't touch me. I'm safe, you've kept me safe," Thire said softly and Fox let out a breath.

"You're safe," he whispered, tugging him closer and reaching out to grab Thorn's hand. Thorn quickly moved closer again so Fox was sandwiched between the two of them.

"Get some sleep ori'vod, we'll both be here when you wake up," Thorn said, squeezing Fox's hand gently. Fox snuggled closer to Thire, shifting his head down to rest over Thire's heart. He let out a shaky breath as he heard the steady thump, thump, thump of his heartbeat. There was no voice in his head telling him to hurt him, he wouldn't hurt him. He let the steady sound of his heartbeat lull him into a dreamless sleep.

A/N

Translations:

Vod'ika - Little Brother
Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum - I Love You
Ori'vod - Big Brother
Vode - Brothers
Ad'ika - Child
Ni ceta - I'm Sorry
Ner - My
Gedet'ye - Please
Karked - Swear Word

So this was a bit of a rollercoaster, all happy and fun and then, yeah. Apparently I felt like I hadn't caused enough pain for Fox, I just had to up it a little more