#accius

He was not around when it happened. As he was tending to the needs of his own. The two mischievous little ones he had created.

But news traveled fast to his domain. Little whispers among the mushpeople, picked up along the breeze and carried to his ear. Nothing ever went unnoticed or unknown to him. How this information got to his domain it’s unknown only to him. The Mad One worked in mysterious ways. With just a look the two little ones knew and hurried over to their father. Climbing up his long legs and onto his back, holding on tightly so as not to fall. With a giggle The Mad One set off to their next destination.

It didn’t take long for the three of them to get to the domain of Adeline. This is where a new patient was being taken care of as of recently. The Mad One stopped to let the two little ones climb down. They did so and ran ahead of the tall man. As he didn’t need to run as a few steps and he was already bending down and knocking upon the other Elders door.

Angry screams could be heard coming from inside, and got louder as the door opened. Adeline seemed a bit surprised to see him and the two children. “oh hello!” She looked down at the two little ones, “Do you two mind playing outside for a bit while I borrow your father” The twins nodded and hurried off with a giggle. Adeline beckoned The Mad One in hurriedly, “You have more arms than me, you can help with..”

“The boy~”  he replied looking in the direction of the angry screams. The sound of things being broken and slammed could be heard in the mix.

“Yes, he’s having another fit. I don’t want him hurting himself more than he already is. Are you alright with this?” she asked as she hurried down the halls. The Mad One still bent down so as not to hit his head basically crawling on the floor giggling, “of course~” The further into the home they moved the louder it got. It seemed to rattle the other patients within as well. Adeline took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. The Mad One poked his head in and Adeline heard a crashing sound. Glass shattering as it flew into The Mad Ones face. She gasped, “Are you alright?!” As he slipped his head out the room giggling some more, “yes, yes, quite alright. This is him then? The Shadows kid~” “Yes this is him. His name is Alex. He...wait, what are you doing?” Adeline said a bit startled. “Stay here~” she felt the Mad One place her a little farther from the door as he slipped in through the crack and shut it. The room was quite large and the Mad One felt he could finally stand.

In the middle of the room stood a very angry little beast. Teeth bared, red faced, and little balled up fists.

“Well hello there Alex~” The Mad One lifted a hand up to grab his hat and remove it. In the process removing his head, “How do you do?~”

Alex was unfazed and growled, “GO AWAY!”

“My my my~ such a temper” The Mad Ones smile stayed put. He placed his head back onto his neck. “Seems you are giving Adie a hard time dear boy.” He took a step forward only causing Alex to growl again. “Stay back or I’ll eat you!”

The Mad One stopped and wheezed a bit, “eat me..?” He bit his lip trying not to laugh but could not help himself. The Mad One let out a roacous laughter. Alex didn’t like that and picked up the nearest object and threw it, “FUCK YOU!!”

The Mad One dodged it quickly and grinned, “Oooh naughty naughty, I know what that means! huehue quite the arm you got there too. You know you are going to tire yourself out eventually, why not just relax~. Let Adie heal you, she’s only trying to help.”

Alex growled at him and crawled away and quickly made his way up the wall and to the ceiling. The Mad One watched thoroughly impressed, “oh come now, if you behave she’ll give you a cookie. You know like grannys do.”

Alex hurried along the ceiling and lept onto the Mad Ones Face clawing and biting.

“Now now none of that~” The Mad One grabbed Alex by the collar of his shirt. The little one was like a wild animal still trying to claw and bite at him. The wounds Alex gave him cleared up in no time. “Lets find something to calm you right. Do you like music?”

Alex just screamed angrily.

“hmmm......must be a fan of death metal.” The Mad One mused to himself with a chuckle.

A radio was one of the undamaged things left in the large room. The Mad One with a snap of his fingers caused it to play music. Though instead of anything heavy or loud. It played something strange, yet soothing. A tune all too familiar to the Mad One and anyone who has ever been in his domain. Alex hissed, clawed and bit at The Mad One who was unfazed. He carried Alex closer to the radio playing the song. A Giant mushroom started to grow near by and The Mad One took a seat underneath it, “Much better” He said to himself. Alex was still at it but seemed to be less. The Mad One started to bring Alex closer to him as Alex’s movements lessened. He started to move into a cradle pulling Alex into his arms in a way restraining him but keeping him bundled. Alex tried to scratch at him while in his arms but he was getting more and more worn out as the music played.

More mushrooms sprouted in the room all varying in color and size. The music never ceasing. A gentle knock could be heard at the door and The Mad One was a nod of his head caused it to open slowly and quietly. Adeline looked in and sighed in relief before smiling. She walked in quietly and peeked over at The Mad One before whispering “He’s asleep?” “Yes~ a deep sleep I’d say” The Mad One replied quietly

“Do you mind uncovering his back for me?” Adeline asked, “I need to work on the wound.”

“Of course~” He did so just enough to show the wound but to make sure he didn’t let the little Alex go. Alex was indeed in a very deep sleep. One of his little hands was gripped onto the jacket of The Mad One. “How did you do it?” she asked while healing. “Simple dear Adie, my music. Plus it’s clear to see he’s not used to being touched.” He said ever so quietly. “hmmm, well thank you for your help. I appreciate it.” She said with a smile. “Alright well I will have to work on it some more, but for now let him rest.”

“How long has he been here?”

Adeline frowned, “Well it happened a while ago, he’s been here for a week. And for most of the week I haven’t been able to get to his wound. Though I suppose it makes sense he wouldn’t want to be touched if he’s not used to it.  I’ve only been able to heal it when he’s asleep but he usually doesn’t sleep for long.” The Mad One hummed in thought as he smiled down at the little one in his arms, “perhaps I can take him off your hands.” “I don’t know...” She said uncertainly.

“I could take care of him, and I have my little Acca and Accius to help him as well. I’m sure they’d enjoy the company and it’ll help him learn. You can come heal him too as you are the best at healing.”  He explained, his smile never leaving. Adeline thought about it, “hmmm....Alright. But he can’t be too rough otherwise the wound will start to get worse again. Zerneboh did quite a bit of damage to him.” The Mad One nodded, “of course, I’ll make sure no harm comes to this little one.”

~~~~

The next day, Alex was still deep asleep in the arms of the Mad One. Adeline had given him instructions to come back if anything bad should happen or to call her if need be. Acca and Accius climbed up their fathers legs and onto his back looking down at the curled up eldritch in his arms. “Papa who is that?” asked Acca curiously. “This is Alex~ and he’s going to be your brother.” he replied happily. Accius tilted his head, “Our brother? Why?” “Because he needs a nice family, and we’re a nice family aren’t we?” questioned the Mad One though he knew the answer to this already. The twins nodded happily.

It didn’t take long for them to return to their home domain.

Upon this return Alex started to wake up. Though a bit grumpy from having slept so long, as he was not used to this. “wha....Where....” Alex’s eyes shot open, “Where am I? Put me down! I’ll kill you!” He tried to struggle but found he could not within The Mad Ones hold. The Mad One giggled, “Theres no need to struggle Alex, you are safe. Would you like to be put down?” Alex growled and snapped at him. “That’s not an answer. I will wait till you are ready to answer.” chuckled the Mad One. Accius climbed off his fathers back and ran off to play. Acca stayed behind instead curious about the angry little boy. “Papa why doesn’t he use his words?” she asked. “He’s not used to using them my little rose” Acca stared at Alex only for him to glare and growl at her. “If you want down you have to say so. Like this... Please let me down.” She said as an example.

“Fine...Let me down!” He barked. The Mad One giggled, “alright.” And set him down. run along and enjoy yourself.” Alex ran off hoping to leave. Unbeknownst to him he wouldn’t be able too. “If you get lost follow the mushrooms!~” called The Mad One with a laugh.

Alex ran through the foliage as fast as he could. It didn’t take him long to realize he was lost. And when he tried to leave The Mad Ones domain, he found he could not and kicked up dirt and yelled. When he calmed down he plopped onto the ground with a huff. It was at this moment he noticed the pain in his back that he had been feeling for the past week seemed to have dwindled by a lot. Guess the Lady who was a Granny did that, he thought to himself.

‘What was it the weirdo said...’ he couldn’t help but think.

“Follow the mushrooms?” Alex tsked, “What the hell does that mean...” A couple feet away from him he saw movement. He stood up and growled. The movement seemed to pick up as tiny little mushrooms scattered about the place squeaking in fear. Many of them tripping over themselves as they tried to get away from Alex.

Alex watched them a bit confused by their antics as they kept running, some at him as they really seemed scatterbrained. “Follow the mushrooms...” Alex said to himself. He started to walk after them, and they continued to run away.

It wasn’t long till he came upon a clearing with a large dining table full of tea sets and treats. All the little mushroom people ran back into the greenery leaving him there. “Welcome back, you’re just in time for tea~” Laughed the Mad One. “Do you take sugar with yours?” Alex glared at the Mad One. “I’ll take you enjoy sugar at least. You are welcome to join us after all this is your home as much as it is our home~” he poured another cup of tea and placed it by an empty chair a few seats away from anyone. Alex seemed to like his personal space. The Mad One turned to his other two children who was seated next to each other and near by their father enjoying their snacks and tea. Giving Alex time to think about joining them and letting him make a choice on his own, instead of forcing him.

It was a solid five minutes before they all heard movement by the chair he placed the tea by. Alex sat a couple seats away to keep his distance. He sniffed the drink, it didn’t seem poisoned. He sipped it and spit it out, wiping his mouth. “s’gross” gagged Alex. The Mad One chuckled, “Tea is an aquired taste my boy~ Perhaps you’d prefer something else.” The tea vanished and was replaced with a juice box. Now this is something Alex could get behind. He snatched it up and started to suck it down.

The Mad One was delighted by this, his two children had their own opinions of Alex as well. Though they differed from each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time went on, Adeline visited The Mad One and Alex to heal him. Every time she visited something new would be learned. Alex liked his space, he wasn’t used to people touching him and often didn’t like it unless it was on his terms. He was also growing closer with The Mad One slowly but surely and it seemed a friendship was forming between Acca and Alex. She viewed him as a new brother right from the start, though it was clear Accius still needed convincing.

Another new fact was that Alex didn’t know how to regulate his own emotions or what to do when he felt them. When he was happy he was a delight to have around, when he was angry that was another story.

But despite this, within another weeks time. Alex’s wound was fully healed. All that remained was a scar as a reminder of that day. Adeline was walking with The Mad One. “I must say you have done exceptionally well taking care of him. He seems like a very different person from the first day I had him in my care.” “Why thank you Adie~, hehehe. The boy just needed someone who was like him I think.” The Mad One looked over to see Alex and the twins, now all getting along better than the first day he came. “My little wolves are all friends now~” Adeline looked over and smiled, “indeed they are, well I must be going if you ever need anything or just want to visit you know where to find me.” He gave a nod and his usual smile, “Til then Adie~”

WIth that Adeline was gone.