Healing

In the depths of the pantry, River and Finn immersed themselves in a sea of cans and tins, their noses nearly touching the labels as they scoured for a suitable meal. The notion of dinner echoed in River's mind, but the passage of time eluded him. He couldn't discern whether it was day or night, nor could he recall the exact date. The bunker's windowless expanse enveloped them in an eternal haze of uncertainty, where the boundaries of time and routine faded into obscurity.

A small wooden stool, procured from a corner of the big room, elevated River as he reached for the upper shelves. Finn, on the other hand, effortlessly browsed the contents without the need for assistance.

While engrossed in his search, Finn's voice pierced the air, a thread of curiosity woven through his words. "What about these baby clams?" he inquired, retrieving a white and blue can from the tightly packed pantry.

River's features contorted with a mixture of amusement and mock disdain as he peered at Finn. "You eat like my grandma", he jested, a mischievous giggle escaping his lips.

A playful offense danced across Finn's face, his expression transforming into a delightful blend of mock indignation. Undeterred, he continued his quest, determined to unearth a satisfying meal.

River's hand ventured into a different section of the pantry, extracting a red can from the array of provisions. The revelation filled him with an infectious excitement that radiated through his being. "They gave us chicken dumplings! Let's have these!" he exclaimed, his voice infused with a pinch of exhilaration. Finn's nod of agreement mirrored the growing smile on River's face.

As their eyes met, a transient connection flickered between them. River's countenance radiated with childlike joy, while Finn's gaze held a fondness for the unassuming nature of the moment. A subtle shift in River's expression from unabashed happiness to slight embarrassment and burgeoning curiosity betrayed the proximity between their beings. They found themselves mere centimeters apart, caught in an unspoken moment of connection.

For a fleeting instant, they stood suspended in time, their gazes interlocked. Then, as if in unison, their eyes averted, their attention redirected to the cans in their hands. Their fingers busily gripped the metal cylinders, anchoring them to the realm of practicality.

Across the room, Sage was wrapping up his explanation. "And here's the letter I was telling you about", he stated, handing the open briefcase to Raven and Nima after releasing the locks. Carefully placing it on the couch, he ensured both boys had access to its contents.

"Thank you for taking the time to explain this to us", Nima expressed, a smile tinged with worry gracing his face. With the Rubik's cube in his hands, he began fidgeting nervously, his gaze darting anxiously around the room.

Sage's empathetic nature shone through his words. "I'm truly sorry for this situation. If there's anything you need, know that I'm here for you", he reassured them. Raven, already engrossed in locating the letter, paid little attention, while Nima cast his eyes downward, offering a small nod of gratitude. "Thank you", he whispered softly, his smile a testament to his appreciation. "I genuinely appreciate it."

Sage returned the smile and gracefully rose from his seat. "I'll give you some space to process everything", he suggested, maintaining his warm demeanor. "For now, I'll go assist Cove. Remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out." With those parting words, Sage left Raven and Nima alone on the couch.

As Raven's focus shifted to the letter, he immersed himself in its contents, his long black mullet partially concealing his expression. It was during this moment that Nima's eyes caught sight of the deepening shade of the hematoma on Raven's head.

"That must have been painful", Nima remarked, his concern evident in his gentle tone. Raven scoffed dismissively, unable to fathom the cause of his injury. It held little significance to him anyway. Bruises were a familiar companion in his life.

Nima's gaze then fell upon the first aid kit nestled beside him in the briefcase. Setting the Rubik's cube aside, he took hold of the kit with both hands, quietly opening it and sifting through its contents. Raven stole a quick glance, his glacial eyes briefly meeting Nima's.

"You know, I can help you with that", Nima offered, his voice infused with compassion. "I've seen my fair share of bumps and bruises. Let me take a look and see if there's anything I can do to alleviate the pain."

Raven's initial response was a nonchalant shrug, his pride guarding any vulnerability. "It's nothing", he mumbled, a hint of defensiveness coloring his words. "I've had worse."

Undeterred, Nima's gaze held steady, his sincerity breaking through the walls Raven had erected. "I understand", he responded softly. "But sometimes, it helps to have someone look out for you, even in the smallest of ways. Let me be there for you, even if it's just in this small gesture."

Raven's guarded demeanor softened slightly as Nima's words resonated. He met Nima's gaze, his expression thawing with a flicker of curiosity. "Why do you want to help, twig?" he inquired, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Nima's eyes sparkled with a touch of gratitude as he recalled the kindness Raven had shown him. "Because you went out of your way to help me, and I owe you a big favor. This is a chance for me to repay you."

A flicker of hesitation passed through Raven's eyes, a moment of contemplation. Eventually, he relented, allowing Nima to approach and inspect the injury. Nima's touch was gentle, his fingers tracing the edges of the bruise with utmost care.

"It seems like it's starting to swell", Nima observed, genuine concern lacing his voice. "I can apply a cold compress to help reduce the inflammation. It might bring you some relief."

Raven, his guarded exterior gradually softening, nodded in agreement. "Do whatever you want", he muttered, a touch of gratitude creeping into his tone.

Sage approached Cove, who was still mumbling to himself about the unfair chore he had been assigned. He placed a reassuring, delicate hand on Cove's shoulder, drawing his attention. "Hey, I can take over if you're tired", Sage offered kindly. Cove looked at Sage with surprise, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Don't worry, you don't have to do this", he replied, his voice tinged with appreciation, as he continued to swipe the small pieces of wood.

Sage let out a playful giggle and gently took the broom from Cove's hands. "I actually enjoy cleaning around, let me do this", he lied. He was determined to lend a hand to Cove, knowing that sometimes a simple act of kindness could make a difference.

Cove stood still, watching Sage with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. He couldn't help but notice the delicate grace in Sage's movements, as well as the kindness that radiated from his very being. The thought crossed his mind that Sage was not only genuinely good-hearted but also undeniably attractive. Cove felt his cheeks warm with a blush, and as soon as he realized it, he quickly averted his gaze. "I... I'll just go make the table then", he stammered, trying to mask his embarrassment.

Sage looked at Cove innocently, his eyes filled with genuine obliviousness to Cove's flustered state. He nodded understandingly. "Sure, go ahead. I'll take care of this", he replied with a warm smile, continuing to sweep the scattered debris. Cove hurriedly made his way to the dinner table, attempting to regain his composure and ignore the fluttering in his chest.