OctNate

	“Now what?” Aria looked from her sleeping son to the brown-haired man that she had once called her husband, arms cross and foot tapping impatiently as Eden only stood there with that damn smile on his face. “You drug us out to the middle of the desert and you don't tell us why. I say I want to go home and you tell me that I can't. I want answers, Eden. Not-” Her complaints were silenced when he'd stepped into her space and lifted her chin. Her heart skipped a beat and despite her best efforts her cheeks and ears warmed up. He smelled like pine, she noticed. Just like he always had when things were okay.

“Just... kiss me first. Please?” She hated him. She hated the way he wore his hair and the way he wore his clothes. She hated the way his chocolate brown eyes reminded her of days that had long gone by. Most of all though, she hated that she loved him so much. How he could just show up and immediately she would be putty in his hands, just like this. Despite all of that hate, her lips found his and nothing else mattered right then and there. She melted into him and his arms wrapped around her waist and for a moment she felt like they were back in their little cabin in the woods of Iodel, falling in love all over again.

She didn't know how long they were like that before she finally pulled away to catch her breath. She rested her head on his chest and his hold on her tightened, tears brimming on the edges of her eyes. “I love you.” her voice was watery and she grabbed hold of the fabric of his shirt, afraid he would disappear if she didn't.

“I love you too, Ari.” She tightened her hold on him, smiling contentedly. “We'll have to leave Nathaniel here, though. I need your help.” She looked up at him with a confused expression and tilted her head.

“You're not actually considering dumping our son in the middle of a desert, are you?”

“I mean... he's 19 now.” Eden said simply and Aria thought about it. He did have a point. Nathaniel was a big boy and he could take care of himself. He'd already proved that by making it to Kharidian. But leaving him alone again right after reuniting just... it sat wrong with her. “We won't be gone longer than a month. Octavia is in the next room so it's not like he'll be alone. I just...” Eden swallowed and Aria worried. “What's coming is a doozy. I don't want him to get involved with it and.., and end up like me, you know?”

“I think you're worrying too much. But since you're actually worrying for once, I'll allow it.”

“Allow?”

“I'm your wife, Eden. You can't do a damn thing without my permission. Remember?” Eden chuckled and gave the top of her head a kiss.

“Yeah, yeah.”

–

“Wait, what?”

“We're leaving you and Octavia here. Something came up and I need your mother's help.”

“But...” Nathaniel stared stupidly at his parents, ready to open his mouth in protest. The scowl on his mother's face immediately stomped that out and he crossed his arms, a heavy frown on his lips.

“I know you hate it, Nate, but this is for your safety.” Eden said wrapping an arm around the young man's shoulder. “It won't be for longer than a month. Promise.” That didn't make him feel any better, but he supposed he had no choice but to live with it. Not like he could go anywhere if he wanted to.

There was no way in hell he was gonna go back through that god forsaken desert a second time. If that meant spending a month here then so be it. That didn't mean he would be happy with it. “Why Octavia?  Why not Endymion? At least he's not a-”

“I hope we're not disturbing you all.” The door creaked open and Artemis poked her head in, much to the surprise of Nathaniel. A moment later, a young woman with dark green hair and golden eyes walked in behind her, a frown on her lips and her arms crossed. Presumably, she'd gotten the same news as him.

Someone out there had a grudge with their parents and for their safety they were dumping them in the desert. He didn't exactly follow the logic in that, but it was too late to question it.

“Is it time, Arty?” The green haired woman nodded and Eden and Aria stood. Aria moved to wrap arms around Nathaniel's neck, whispering for him to behave himself before she released him. Eden pulled him up to his feet and into a surprisingly tight embrace. “A month.” He said and released him, grinning now. “Kharidian isn't such a bad place. You'll love it.”

He doubted that.

Everyone said their goodbyes and a few minutes later the adults were gone, leaving only Nathaniel and Octavia alone. Nathaniel glanced at the girl and shrugged. “Wanna go explore?”

–

Octavia tried her best to not think about their situation as they wandered the streets of Kharidian, playing with a lock of green hair as she and Nathaniel took in the sights and sounds of the city. It was far removed from the quiet town that she had grown up in, though she didn't mind that one bit. She appreciated the noise; it helped drown out her thoughts. “What do you think it is that has them so worried?”

Next to her, Nathaniel shrugged and shook his head, amethyst eyes looking up at the cloudless sky. “I've been thinking about that since they left, honestly.” He admitted and turned his attention to her. “Whatever it is, I hope they'll be alright.”

She did too. She wanted to go home soon. She hadn't been home since she woke up.

She paused and thought about that for a moment. “Hey, Nate. Do you-” She was interrupted by someone bumping into her. Or rather, a couple of someones.

“She went this way!” the scent of alcohol filled her nostrils and she scrunched her nose, disgusted frown on her lips as a group of greasy drunkards pushed past her, almost knocking her off her feet.

“Excuse you!” She called after them, looking down at her dress and stilling.

A lick of rage boiled in her chest when she saw dirt and grime staining what was once an immaculate baby blue chiffon dress. She'd spent the better part of an hour digging through her mother's clothes looking for this and just like that they'd ruined it. “Oi!” She called and took off after them.

“Octavia!” Nathaniel had called after her but she was much too angry to even think about stopping.

“You greasy bastards!” She shouted and the group of men stopped their chase, glancing over their shoulders at her with angry frowns.

“What'd you say, little lady?”

“I said you greasy bastards ruined my dress!” The men looked between each other as if they didn't quite believe what was happening. Somehow, that pissed her off more. “Are you daft? Deaf? Dumb? Do you understand the words I'm saying or did you drown your last three brain cells in alcohol?” She hissed as the wind around her picked up the slightest bit.

“Those is big words for such a tiny lady!”

“I can think of a better use for that pretty little mouth of yours.”

Oh that was it. She was gonna-

“They're not worth it, Octavia.” Nathaniel's voice whispered in her ear as his hands found her shoulders. For a moment she'd forgotten what was going on, getting caught up in the scent of him. She relaxed and the wind around her died. The drunks, however, were still at it and started drunkenly making their way towards the pair, forgetting what it was they were doing moments ago.

Octavia frowned. “Come on.” She said, reaching up and taking one of Nathaniel's hands. He nodded and they both turned and started to walk away.

“We're talking to you!” She jumped at the sound of glass breaking just beneath her feet and looked down just in time to avoid stepping in the remains of a broken bottle that wasn't there a moment ago. They'd thrown the bottle. She scowled and turned, ready to open her mouth again. Nathaniel was already a step ahead of her and had released her hand. He sighed rolled up the sleeves of his shirt as he spun on his heels and started towards them.

“Nathaniel wa-”

“I'll be fine.” His back was to her but she could tell he was angry now. His shoulders were tense with anticipation and his fists were balled tightly at his side.

“FIGHT!” Someone shouted to her right and immediately all eyes in the area were on the group of men and Nathaniel as he came to a stop a few feet in front of them.

Octavia swallowed, worried now. They were strangers here. If Nathaniel got into a fight and the guards got called, she didn't know what would happen. Suddenly, she felt unsure. 'Don't get arrested, Nathaniel.'