THE INFIRMARY, WHILE NOT ALWAYS THE CALMEST PLACE, was hector’s refuge. maybe it was the golden sunlight filtering through the warped glass windows or the smell of soft cotton and nectar wafting through the air … he wasn’t entirely sure what it was exactly about these four walls that made him feel just the slightest bit lighter, but he wasn't going to question it. his half-siblings often told him that he seemed like a different person when he was there, that he was maybe a little kinder, a little more at peace. they couldn’t know, of course, that he hadn’t had a single moment of peace in years, that the low set to his shoulders was not to be mistaken for contentment. it was just easier there; easier to lose himself in his work and to pretend like the rest of the world didn’t exist. such ease, however, was never a lasting feeling — it came on at its own slow pace, giving him a short but sweet opportunity to breathe properly, but it left in a rush, leaving his mind reeling and his hands trembling in its wake.
he stood there, now, fingers wrapped in a vice grip around the cool glass neck of the bottle of nectar he’d just taken off the shelf, the golden liquid inside sloshing quietly as they trembled. he gazed hard into the middle distance, knowing better than to close his eyes lest the memories overwhelm him as they did when he tried to sleep. the silence in the room built and built in his ears, turning from a low hum to a roar, making his vision blur and his mind spin. the sound of the door opening startled him out of the panicked nosedive he’d been in, leading to him jolting from his spot and turning abruptly in the direction of the commotion. maybe his mom was right about fate and destiny and all that other bullshit, because what else would’ve brought paxton to him at the exact right moment he was needed?
scowling to hide the absolute relief that flooded through his bloodstream, hector let his shoulders relax and his grip on the bottle loosen until he was no longer in danger of shattering it in his palm. his pulse still raced and his ears were still faintly ringing, but he could feel the cool balm of calm spreading down his spine at just paxton’s presence ( he’d long since gotten over the embarrassment of being so reliant on the other .. at least, he’d come to accept it. the last thing he’d be doing is telling paxton of his impact ). “ don’t even bother asking for more ambrosia — i’ve already given you enough that it’s a shock you’re not having halucinations, so i’m cutting you off. ” — ( @eautendres )