A/N: Not entirely sure, so to be on the safe side, I'm throwing a TRIGGER WARNING right here. So just be warned that some of the stuff in this chapter is pretty heavy... ENJOY ^_^

 Am I falling? I don't feel like I'm falling... And yet... There is definitely a downward feeling. A direction I am heading, but slowly. Like I am floating or falling through water. Yes... That's it... That must be it. I definitely feel a drag, thicker than air, a muted rushing around my ears and a strange moistness is ever present on my skin and tugging at my clothes. But I do not feel a sting at my eyes, and my lungs do not burn for air. I must be very deep down, for it is a black, shapeless void in my vision, yet I see myself just fine. My fingers lazily drifting against the drag of this... water? My clothes lift gently, anchored in place by my body and various limbs. I can feel the slight tickle of whatever this is, carding itself gently through my hair.

I consider trying to swim once or twice. An energy awakening in my legs and arms, itching for movement, itching to do... Something. But no... I am quite... contented, just to fall, or float, or sink. Whatever it is I am doing, I feel a blissful nothing here. Not quite total comfort, save for the ever present near-weightlessness that was quite relaxing, but I wasn't uncomfortable. I felt safe. Unburdened by my mind and whatever horrors it would usually conjure. In fact, I felt a slight confusion at the idea of thinking about anything really. It was like I could feel the energy powering the cogs of thought, raring to go, but also a distinct lack of motivation to do so, and I couldn't decide whether it was nice or not.

Pleasantly confused, I suppose is how I would describe it if I were to give it some thought. I was sinking, and okay with it. Which is a strange thing to think about. Which is also something I didn't think about. I didn't want to. It didn't matter.

That's a question isn't it? What does matter? What is matter? Physics would know. Science always know. No. I should know.

My arms twitch.

I do know. I know what matters, of course I do. It's... What was it again? Or was it who?

I find myself furrowing in confusion. Something new had entered my attention as I gently slipped down wherever I was, and I found myself questioning... Had that light always been there? Can I have it? It seems so far away, and I've done nothing but fall it seems, can I really be bothered to put in that effort?

My legs kick. Was I shaking the aches from my knees, or did I do that in an attempt of some kind of movement other than just... down?

My jaw clenched, in a rather alien streak of determination, or was it anger? I'd almost forgotten, but no matter. I wanted that light. I should have it, I've grown quite bored of this darkness, of this falling or sinking, or whatever it was I was doing.

I find myself kicking, my arms beginning to pump and grasp. Spreading my fingers in an attempt to get some form of traction, this place was so disorientating I wasn't sure if I was making progress or not, but I certainly wasn't falling as steadily as I was before. Why did this feel so familiar to fighting? I don't remember fighting or what it felt like, and yet that word seems right.

Suddenly I was angrily pushing myself towards this light. I could feel its warmth from here, and it was strange to feel such a thing for I didn't know I felt cold until I felt its light upon me.

Aramis... Aramis!

I'm reaching harder now, kicking faster. My lungs are starting to burn like the last of the breath I didn't know I had was squeezing from my body. A purpose was pulling me closer and harder, I had to get back to Aramis. He needed me. I needed him. It was strange that of all the things that were flooding back to me, this beautiful man; the sharp angle of his jaw, the sprinkling of facial hair stuck to his chin, that damn, light-bringing smile of his. I'm not sure why, but something resonated within me that I was fighting for this man. Was I a gladiator and he my Dominus? Or maybe I was a body guard protecting my charge? I don't know what I was fighting, but it felt as stubborn as gravity. Slowly, but sternly, burrowing and pulling at my joints, grinding at my limbs as they screamed in exhaustion.

I was close. A lot closer than I thought I was, a well of confidence was bubbling in my chest, followed by a determined smirk on my face. I was winning, I could feel it. My hand outstretched towards this light, it couldn't have been much smaller than my fist, if not roughly the same size. I reached as hard as I could, that I feared for a brief second that I might pull myself apart as my back strained from how much effort I spent trying to reach this mote of light.

It was mine at last, it's warmth doing nothing but bringing contented smiles to my face, I could feel myself trying to giggle in victory while I pulled the light close to my chest. Hugging it tightly, as tight as I possibly could. Unafraid of snuffing it out in my victory. It felt stronger than me anyhow.

Things felt a lot different when I opened my eyes at the strange realisation that I didn't feel wet any more. I was warm, and my eyes peeled themselves open at the soft, yellow, light that fluttered through the parting in my curtains. Dancing little motes of dust waltz together, landing gently on a very snug blanket that lay cocooned over my mid and lower body. It took me a moment to uncurl my fist when I realised that there was nothing there.

I tried to move, instantly wincing at an aching soreness in my shoulder. That made me remember. The violent thump of panic barged the confusion out of the way, as I looked to my wrist. Nothing, save for a ghostly thin line, barely visible at the right angle.

My eyes searched my room, landing on a figure curled on my floor. A thin blanket pulled up to her shoulders, as a wild ocean of chestnut coloured hair, spilled its waves and curls over a few pillows that rested beneath her head; and I felt a distinct comfort knowing that Victoria probably hadn't left my side. But my thoughts only thirsted after one individual. An individual who was not here. Aramis.

I eased myself to swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Cringing as the floor boards squeaked beneath my feet, my eyes darted towards the thankfully still sleeping form of Victoria. I pushed myself up, looking for some form of clothing as I was in naught but my underwear.

"You're awake!" Her voice proclaimed in a tired excitement. As she rolled on to her other side to face me, I expected to see her gaunt and exhausted. Her body fraught with worry. But then I remembered this was Victoria, and all I saw was her gentle soft features, smiling pleasingly up at me. Her eyes squinted painfully at the sun, but she held no dark circles, or any of the usual traits one would associate with just waking up. When compared to me who usually looked like some form of half-rotted zombie.

She shakily pushed herself up on weary, yet somehow strong, arms, curling her legs behind her. The light green of the blanket conjuring up images of sun-kissed merfolk when matched with her curls and inviting features. That was all dashed when she sprung up, and charged my still sore form with a hug.

"V, I was so worried about you" She whined, I could hear the slight break in her voice, and immediately was comforted as I embraced her back, fighting the pain in my shoulder. Pain be damned, I needed this.

"I'm okay, V... I'm okay...." I hushed, we parted, her hands on each of my arms were warm and comforting. Until her right hand curled into a fist and she lashed out at my arm.

"Don't do that to me ever again! You idiot! What the fuck!?" She scowled, to which I laughed as I shrunk back from another blow, slowly sitting back down. It felt like forever since I'd gotten this interaction, yet it couldn't of been a few hours. She sat down next to me, curling one leg under the other while I looked to the floor. My smile fading slowly as my thoughts began to take over.

"What happened, V? What happened after I... ya know... Is Aramis okay?" I asked. I almost didn't want an answer. My fear that he was dead suddenly took hold of whatever happiness I felt in that brief moment of awakening. It made me feel heavy. Like I was drowning. A familiar sinking that was now devoid of a numb nothingness. Just dread.

"Oh, well don't worry about me. Not like I've been worried half to death about you or anything –"

"Victoria" I whined, cutting her off.

"I know, I'm just teasing." She began, the lightness to her tone did alleviate my anxiety somewhat. I dared to hope. Just a little bit. "Well, I was late to the party. Also, side note, Auntie Janet is fucking terrifying when she's stressed by the way, not even your dad dared defy her last night. Probably for the best really. You'd think she was a veteran army medic with the way she was barking out orders - -"

"Victoria, please! I'm literally on the verge of a breakdown... Please..."

"Alright... Alright... Sorry. Aramis is fine, I promise. I literally walked in, confusing as fuck by the way, you were passed out, slumped against the kitchen cabinets, a knife in one hand, blood pouring from your wrist out the other. Flint, stark naked, except for your hoodie, cussing you out while looking like he was just coming down off a drug fuelled seizure. FYI, Jace is way better naked if you were wondering--"

"I wasn't --"

"Aramis was on the opposite end of the spectrum, looking like he was in the middle of a crack fuelled high, while simultaneously being so over panicked about you and apparently what he had done do to you, that he looked like he was going to both vibrate through the walls and explode from some guilt-ridden rocket jet bursting in his chest. Your dad came in swearing, stressed as balls, questioning everything. Janet had me and Jace somehow corral both Flint and Aramis out of the kitchen, but in opposite rooms because Aramis was also ready to throw hands in between his concern with you. She also kicked your dad from the room because the moment he saw you, he almost broke completely, and told him to contact the leaders of the pack and clan respectively while she went to work on you. They came over, pissed as fuck, the Piece Of Four was brought up which immediately put everyone but Janet in lock down, because she's also a fucking rock. You almost fucking DIED by the way, if it hadn't been for Auntie Janet and the fact that it was a full moon... Yeah... So... To put an end to my side of the story: Everything is a mess, and you've got a lot of explaining to do. What did you do to Flint? How did any of this happen? How are you going to make it up to me for putting me through hell?" She ended, taking a very deep breath after that rant, and who could blame her? That was one hell of a catch up, and I felt guilty through the entire thing. If I was just more careful. If I had paid attention we wouldn't of even risked being out in the woods on a full moon, especially when we knew Flints intentions. Aramis wouldn't of been hurt, and none of this would be happening.

I sighed in exhaustion, suddenly feeling an incredible wave of tiredness wash over my eyes.

"Okay... Okay... Everyone gets answers... The moment I see Aramis. I need to see him. To make sure he's okay." I began, slapping my thighs in determination as I pushed myself up from the bed and began rooting around for clothes.

"Well good luck with that" Victoria replied, earning a questioning look from me as I pulled a shirt that didn't smell too bad over my head. "I'm pretty sure your dad wants to speak to you first. He's been up here every hour on the hour exactly, and he'll probably be pretty pissed if you're not here when he comes back. Not just in general, but with me also for having not told anyone you're awake yet."

"Dad can wait. I'm not a child, and this is important. It's important to me anyway..." My voice trailed off towards the end of the sentence.

"Oh, V..." She began to protest in a soft and comforting manner. Victoria knows everything about me. She has a rather annoying habit of knowing what I want or who I am before I do. It's part of the reason I love her so much. But one look from me and she didn't press the issue further, instead huffing slightly and standing up. "Right then. I'll help you get out of here without anyone noticing, but I can only promise so much okay?"

"I love you, V..." I said as I pulled my shoes on and made for the door.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm perfect I know. Now lets go get your man" She grinned, her expression like an alpha leader for some spy mission. I couldn't help but laugh happily as she made sure to be the first to open the door.

She didn't get far however, her head instantly recoiling as she moved back a few steps. The door creaking open to reveal my father standing there...

A/N: Now wasn't that a ride eh folks? Remember to love each other, and there's always someone that is willing to listen to you in your darkest moments. Stay safe everyone x