Enjoy this wonderful old art I saved from @charlunday who always manages to amaze me

You should sleep.” - “I’m not human, therefore, I do not require sleep.”

— — —

Scout was aware of the soft hum of music floating down the hallway most of the night. For the most part he didn’t mind it, in fact, it actually helped him sleep. But when 4:00 am rolled around and he still heard it-his mild amusement turned quickly to concern.

Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he ventured down the hallway to Orion’s room. The door was cracked ever so slightly though there was little light aside from a single lit up screen. Then Scout registered what music was playing.

“Orion, are you watching the movie about Freddie Mercury, again?” Scout sighed, gently opening the door to find Orion sitting hunched over with a blanket on his head staring intently at a tablet screen. “You’ve seen it five times.”

“I’m binging,” Orion whispered, “I’ve watched so many movies on so many beautiful musicians. This just happens to be my favorite one of the night.”

“Turn it off,” Scout pleaded, hesitantly approaching the enthralled boy.

“It’s a cinematic masterpiece!” Orion insisted, sparing Scout a glance.

“You should sleep,” Scout insisted. Giving up on trying to subtly retrieve the tablet and resorting to sitting beside Orion.

“I’m not human, therefore, I do not require sleep!” Orion frowned, grudgingly sharing his blanket hat with Scout. “Now shush. It’s getting good. He’s gonna find out he has AIDS.”

“That sounds horribly insensitive,” Scout mumbled, snuggling up to Orion dpesite his irritation.

“Yeah, yeah,” Orion rolled his eyes. But despite himself, he didn’t last another twenty minutes, because Scout’s shoulder was too comfortable, and his scent was to sleep inducing, and the rock of his shoulders when he breathed rocked Orion to sleep like a little alien baby.

I.e. walking past each other I a hallway or something.

Thiyanda:

-Thalia gives very quick cheek kisses

-Siyanda likes to run a hand through Thalia’s hair

-Thalia sometimes gives quick hand squeezes

-Siyanda will do tiny back rubs

Scorion:

-Scout also runs a hand through Orion’s hair but he starts at the back and goes up and forward

-Orion does a very quick little neck rub that makes Scout laugh

-Scout will often squeeze Orion’s shoulder

-Orion likes to do quick side hugs

Durames:

-Fox will settle her head briefly on James’ shoulder

-James loves giving forehead kisses

-Fox has a habit of touching James’ face, like running a thumb over his cheek or something.

-James often tucks her hair behind her ears.

Salex:

-Sage does this little butt tap thing when she walks past Alex.

-Alex gives hugs from behind all the time

-Sage jokingly tucks her hands into Alex’s pockets on a regular basis

“Scout,” The voice sounded far away as a gentle hand shook his shoulder. Blinking through bleary eyes, Scout made out the fuzzy image of his father.

“Huh?”

“It’s late,” Vision smiled, “go to bed.”

“I-I’m Okay,” Scout insisted only to be interrupted by a yawn halfway through his sentence, “I’m not tired at all.”

“Very funny,” Vision laughed, gently prying the book from his son’s hands and picking him up with ease, “but a horrible lie.”

“Uh huh uh huh,” Scout nodded barely listening. Vision only rolled his eyes and let Scout drift back into a half sleep.

Upon making it to Scout’s room he placed the boy gently on his bed and eased him out of his shoes. Leaving them neatly by the door, Vision flicked off the lights and wished Scout goodnight.

— — —

The next morning Scout was still asleep well past his usual time when Orion finally went to check on him. He found Scout still dressed in yesterday’s clothes, curled up on top of the sheets with wild hair and a peaceful expression.

But what struck Orion the most wasn’t that his boyfriend was sleeping in for once-it was that his room was rather messy. Books of all sorts were strewn about and open on different pages. Sticky notes decorated the walls and numerous notebooks were tossed about.

Arching a brow at the uncharacteristic mess, Orion carefully picked up one of the heavy hardbacks (making sure to keep the designated place marked) and studied the cover. Thick blocky letters read: The Neurological Process of Memory When Faced With Pavlovian Conditioning.

Orion had to read the title three times to gain even a small comprehension of the book. With a comical look of disgust he set it aside. His brain was not ready for that kind of comprehension so early in the day.

But curiosity won out and he began to look at other titles, books, and notes Scout had made. The more he looked, the more he got an idea of what was happening.

“Didn’t anyone tell you it’s rude to snoop?” Scout yawned, stretching out on his bed with a look of tired mirth.

“Your room’s usually not this messy, that’s all,” Orion shrugged, setting down a notebook. “I feel like I haven’t seen much of you lately. What’s up?”

“It’s a long explanation,” Scout sighed, rubbing his temples.

“I have time,” Orion assured. Scout nodded and moved over for Orion to sit beside him.

“You know how I can sense and feel emotions right?”

“Mhm,” Orion nodded.

“Well, lately, with all that’s going on it’s very overwhelming. I get headaches and I have to hibernate -in a way- by shutting that aspect of my brain off. It’s why I’m a bit detached at the moment. If I wasn’t, I’d be hypersensitive to everything going on and I can’t deal with it all at once,” Scout explained. “But to combat the chaos- I took to studying. I’ve found a lot of information that may help us with Drew.”

“Well, as excited as I am to hear that,” Orion snorted, “you look like a zombie. You have to take care of yourself too you know. And if you need help to block things out just borrow my headset, or if you’re overwhelmed just tell me. I get worried when you just disappear.”

“Sorry,” Scout frowned, “I didn’t really know I was doing it. It just sort of happens. If people don’t tell me I won’t notice. So, just smack me about if I start getting bad about it again.”

“I’ll smack you with my lips,” Orion offered earning a small laugh in response. “Anyways, since I know you’re bursting with info-what’ve you found?”

“Do you really want me to ramble this early in the morning?” Scout asked, arching a brow.

“I’ll handle it,” Orion promised, laying down and making himself comfortable.

“Alright,” Scout rolled his eyes playfully, “well, I’ve been able to understand brain chemistry more and because of that I have an idea. See, lots of our memories can be triggered when we least expect it. All there needs to be is a source or small piece of that memory. If Drax is part of any memories Drew has at all, exposing her to a similar situation involving him could very well force her to remember her past.”

“Scout, not to be rude in anyway, but I don’t think we can or should re-create mass genocide,” Orion warned.

“I know that!” Scout huffed, earning a playful smirk from Orion. “Let me finish.”

“You’re always grouchy when you haven’t had your peanut butter toast in the morning,” Orion winked.

“Anyways,” Scout insisted trying to avoid embarrassment, “if we use Drax’s memories and somehow figure out how to link their subconscious together we can use him as a trigger source.”

“But?”

“But there is the chance that it doesn’t work and Drax may lose any hope he has left of us being able to help,” Scout concluded.

“It sounds feasible but I’m not exactly the most intelligent when it comes to none space science,” Orion frowned, “but I’m sure you could get help.”

“The issue is being able to identify the memory most likely to have a positive result,” Scout explained, “and I’m not particularly practiced in digging up memories. It’s more of an ability to see the present through someone else.”

Orion sighed, humming a tune as he thought until an idea struck him, “Can’t Sage see memories?”

“Yes,” Scout nodded, “but she’s been distracted with Bianca lately and I don’t want her to have another burden.”

“What about Enzo?”

“He’s been...moody.”

“Loki?”

“Maybe,” Scout pursed his lips in thought, “but how are we going to convince him to participate?”

— — —

“You can have it for a week,” Orion warned, “but if you break it I break you!”

“Wonderful!” The God of mischief beamed, studying the headset with delight. “Well, when you need me just give me a call and I’ll be there.”

“I’m serious,” Orion glowered, “if you break it-“

“Babe, I think he gets it,” Scout settled a gentle hand on Orion’s shoulder. He could tell Orion was anxious about letting one of his most prized possessions go, but it needed to be done. Loki had a fascination with old music players. Scout gathered that it had something to do with an old record/music store and a chance meeting with someone playing a piano.

“I’m only making sure,” Orion insisted.

“Well, he won’t break it because I’ll be mad and I’m scary when I get mad.”

“Yes, I’ve seen your mother,” Loki nodded, looking serious for once. “She’s very frightening.”

“She gets mad?” Orion asked as his eyebrows arched in surprise.

“Yes, be glad you haven’t seen it,” Scout mumbled. “Well, Uh, thank you Loki.”

“Don’t mention it. Like I said, give a call when I’m needed, until then I’m off to explore.”

“What are you looking for?” Orion questioned.

“A few familiar faces, that’s all,” The God assured, and before either of the boys could question him he vanished in a puff of green fire.

“He‘s shady,” Orion shivered.

“I like him,” Scout decided, “he’s got a bit of mystery. Makes it entertaining. Especially when he messes up which he normally does.”

“You’re pretty maniacal you know that?” Orion laughed.

“I was told once I’d make a good psychopath. I’m not sure if it was a compliment or an insult,” Scout frowned, pressing a finger to his lips in thought.

“Doesn’t matter,” Orion snorted. “Bottom line is, I’m thankful you’re trying to help me out with my cousin. It means a lot, and you didn’t have to do it.”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“She’s not someone you’ve connected with. I know bonds mean a lot to you and it’s how you make a lot of key decisions. So, the fact that you’re putting so much effort into helping someone you really only know the name of is...beautiful,” Orion smiled.

“Your family is my family,” Scout shrugged, “all I needed to know was that she’s your cousin. Besides, I’ve decided that the person we fought isn’t the person she is deep inside. Before I judge her I’d rather get a chance to meet her for who she really is.”

“I’ve said it before,” Orion grinned, taking Scout’s hands in his and resting their foreheads together, “but I will say it again. You are one impeccable, kind, and sweet man. I can’t seem to remember how I got by without you in life to make things seem less daunting.”

“I don’t know,” Scout admitted, “but I can agree with that statement.”

“I’m glad,” Orion pressed a light kiss to Scout’s lips, “but on a side note-“

“He won’t break the head set,” Scout laughed.

“I don’t know what life is like without it either. Okay? It’s second only to you!”

“You dork!” Scout snorted.

Edited:

Unedited:

“Today is the day,” Scout sighed, “and I was hoping Siyanda would be here but at least I have you.”

“Gee, thanks,” Piper frowned.

“I meant that as a compliment,” Scout assured. He’d spent as much time as possible researching how to get Drew’s memories back, and it was time to finally attempt the recovery process.

However, he hadn’t planned on the crowd. Sure, Scout expected Orion and his family to be there, Bianca because let’s face it-the poor girl just wanted someone to have something good come out of all this-, and his own parents. Instead, nearly everyone Scout knew had shown up in the lab room looking on with pensive faces. Even Loki, who was there on business, seemed rather reserved.

“You’ll be okay,” Vision assured, breaking his son’s train of thought. “You’ve prepared for this.

“What if it doesn’t work?”

“Then it doesn’t work,” Vision shrugged, “but at least you tried. And then, you assess what went wrong and you try again. It’s what all great minds do. Rarely is anything perfect the first time.”

“Right,” Scout nodded, “just like inventing the lightbulb?”

“Just like inventing the light bulb,” Vision smiled, brushing some wild strands of Scout’s curly hair into place. “Now, go get ‘em.”

“Pipes, can you get Drax?” Scout asked, finding a new burst of confidence. Piper nodded and beckoned the somber man over. “Okay, you’ll need to strip down to your underwear so I can stick these on you.”

Scout held up a bunch of odd looking suction cups. Drax eyed them warily but did as he was told. The man wouldn’t argue if it meant he got to have his daughter back.

Once down to his underwear, Scout and Piper set to work on placing the suction cups in their designated spots. Overall, the alien man looked like an awkward octopus.

“Now, you’ll need this,” Piper informed, handing over a breathing device that resembled some variation of a scuba mask. Drax nodded and swiftly put the device in place. “You’ll need to listen to Scout’s instructions carefully if this is going to work.”

“I trust him,” Drax replied, giving Scout a stern but heartfelt look.

“Follow me.” Scout escorted Drax to an identical replica of Drew’s tank, however, this one remained empty. Stepping through a small doorway, Drax stood barefoot upon the glass floor while Scout connected wires and tubes to the ends of suction cups. “That mask will let you breath. When I’ve finished hooking you into place, I will give you a neuron transmitter head set, don’t mess with it. The device is calibrated specifically to match Drew’s. It will also let me communicate with you. Once I’m certain the transmitter is properly adjusted I’ll leave, close the door, and the tank will fill with a special fluid. Don’t panic. You’ll be able to float. When the time is right, Loki will help you getting Drew’s memories back to the surface. He won’t let you down. He’s in a room of supers who will kill him if he pulls anything. Understood?”

“Understood,” Drax held a thumb up for good measure. Smiling faintly, Scout moved to place the metallic headband upon Drax’s head. When the device hissed and moved into place, fitting snugly against skin, Scout left the tank. Closing the door and double checking it’s locking mechanism, Scout signaled for Piper to start the machine. A mighty roar and hum filled the quiet room until two small pipes began pumping a green colored liquid into the tank.

Drax looked down at it in curiosity but remained still from then on. Checking his watch Scout proceeded to the control booth, a little station rigged up by Siyanda and Piper, to watch Drax’s vitals. So far everything was fine.

Sighing, and clearing his head, Scout collected his own transmitter and set it in place. Cool metal fit snugly about his forehead and suddenly he was aware of two other minds. “Alright Drax, how are you doing?”

“Fine.”

“Good,” Scout smiled to himself, “now, in a little bit you’ll be fully submerged, and once the tank reaches its max capacity I’ll turn off the fluid.”

“Copy.”

Turning his attention to Piper, Scout glanced quickly at the tank before signaling Piper to close the valves. With a hiss, the tank’s pipes shut off allowing the green liquid to still.

“Good,” Scout praised, “now, we aren’t going to open the link between you and Drew just yet. For now I want you to think of something critical you both might remember. This memory has to be specific so think hard on it. Make sure it’s vivid in your mind. That the details are almost as sharp as the day it happened.”

“Got it,” Drax replied coolly.

“Are you positive?” Scout frowned.

“Yes.”

“Alright, now hold that memory in place. Do not lose it. I’m going to open the link between us and Drew. When I do this you should feel another mental presence. That’s her. Forget about me-I’m only here for safety-and focus on her. Try sharing the memory and coax details of it from her own mind,” Scout explained.

“What if it hurts her?”

“That’s necessary. The programming Ronan did made any memory recovery painful, but the pain can be endured. Once it’s pushed past the conditioning will no longer work. It’s like learning to walk. Falling once makes falling a second time less daunting,” Scout assured.

“Alright. I’m ready.”

“Okay, I’m opening the link,” Scout sighed, tapping a button on his dashboard. A green light sparked beside his and Drax’s. Drew’s transmitter was now open to receive incoming data.

With a thumbs up from Scout, Loki approached Drew’s tank. Rolling his sleeves up with care, he settled pale palms upon the glass. The green lights glowed even brighter as he worked his magic.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Scout studied their vitals. All was normal so far. Then, rather suddenly, his visual on the room changed. The walls morphed into the shape of an unfamiliar planet, the floor was stained red, and sounds of combat arose in mighty swells.

Scout was an outsider amidst a battle he had never seen before. Across the way he spotted a familiar figure, muscles rippling, eyes alight with rage, mouth turned into a sneer, and hands bloodied. Drax had torn someone limb from limb in a frenzy of bloodlust. All about him other men clad in armor, wielding maces, axes, battle hammers, and metallic gloves charged the approaching forces of darkness. Amongst them were countless warrior women all looking to mount heads on their walls.

The scene shifted. It felt like Scout was being sucked through a vacuum hose, everything raced by in a pool of color and light, and sound became nothing but a violent roar in his ears. His previous view of bloodied carnage was now replaced by a small home in danger of being destroyed.

There was a woman accompanied by two young girls. The eldest one darted from the doorway towards a space craft. Before she could reach the machine, a blast of bright light sent it into a mess of scattered steaming scraps. Eyes wide she stared at a fighter ship looming overhead. The wind from its turbines whipped the girl’s clothes into a frenzy.

A violent cry startled Scout and he turned to see a large beam of metal hurtling towards the space craft. With a shudder it dove sideways slamming into the bleeding earth with a burst of heat and gas.

“Go!” Drax ordered, waving frantically at the three girls. “They are upon us.”

“There is no where to run,” the woman protested.

“Find the sanctuary. Take them and go! Ships wait there for evacuation!” Drax demanded, narrowly avoiding an arching spear. The woman, Scout realized, looked strikingly like Drew. Her hair was dark and plaited with care, her skin was a fluorescent green with delicate scales, and red markings traversed her sturdy frame.

The eldest daughter grasped her mother’s hand and collected the smallest child tugging them away from Drax. “Dad says we have to go. Come on!”

Scout watched the three race across uneven surfaces while ships exploded in plumes of fire, the ground burst open from large bomb shells, dozens of people were blown to bits, and wails filled the air like sirens signaling disaster.

Sweat pooled on his brow as if he were truly there upon that planet. All the while his heart hammered and he prayed they reached safety. Just as a large building began to take shape on the horizon disaster struck. Drax went soaring through the air landing in a heap. Dozens of warriors piled on top of him trying to keep him down.

In the fray, the two little girls had lost track of their mother. There were too many people, too many noises, and too many emotions mixing together.

“DADDY!” The sound was desperate, lilting up in fear and panic. It broke Scout’s heart.

“It’s okay!” Drax soothed, despite the cluster of men keeping him pinned to the ground.

“Come on, we have to go,” The eldest girl tugged lightly on her little sister’s arm.

“Find your mother!” Drax cried, over the sounds of war. “She will know what to do!”

Scout watched them scurry off leaving Drax behind with only the tear stained faces of his little girls for memory. Stumbling along the youngest tried desperately to keep pace with her sister, but much to Scout’s frustration she kept looking back.

“There! Come on Ophy. There’s mom!” The eldest grinned, pulling even harder at her sister’s arm. Both went barreling towards their mother but they never made contact. An earth shattering roar sent the universe into a haze. Scout couldn’t see.

At last, when the debris settled, he found only one alive. She should have died. That much Scout knew. But the bomb had sent her toppling to the ground in a heap of pain and heat. Small clothes steaming, Ophy, as Scout recalled, stood wide eyed in the massacre. Her sister’s blood was warm on her cheeks.

“Nova? Novy?” Ophy whimpered, nudging the corpse beside her. The scene made Scout sick. The little girl’s eyes couldn’t see the gaping hole in her sister’s stomach. Her brain would not allow it-and it did not allow her to see the mangled mess of her mother. “Novy! Come on! No games.”

Scout watched Drew-Ophy-shove her sister harder. He guessed Nova had a knack for pulling tricks, but Nova remained still. Disbelief followed confusion, and Scout watched as little Ophy came to terms with the scene. Her mother and sister were not waking up.

Wide eyed, tear stained, and bloodied was how Ronan found her. Quivering and curled up into herself, she was greeted by a menacing face. The face of a cold blooded killer. The man made Scout’s blood boil.

“Come little one,” He stretched out his hand expectantly. Ophy regarded it with distrust.

“Where’s my Daddy?”

“He will be here shortly,” The man promised, “now come. This is no place for little warriors to be.”

With the promise of her father in mind she took the cynic’s hand.

He pulled her easily to her feet and lead her through the ruined streets. “Are they all dead?”

“No, little one, they are sleeping.”

— — —

All at once the pressure in Scout’s head subsided, and the metallic band released. With a sigh, he opened his eyes to see the normal world before him. But he hadn’t come too just for fun, no, Piper was shaking him awake.

Scout instantly picked up on the situation. Drew’s pulse was sky rocketing, and her oxygen line was flat. Gaze settling on her tank, Scout stared wide eyed at the crack forming in its surface. Drew had regained, consciousness, tore off her breathing device, and was pummeling the glass.

“Drain it! Drain it!” Scout panicked, scrambling to his feet and rushing over to the doorway. Loki looked bug eyed and confused as Scout shoved him aside. The water had barely begun to recede when Scout blasted off the locking mechanism.

With a grunt he turned the valve as water began to leak from the door’s perimeter. Prying it open, water slushed onto the ground, and Drew went tumbling out in a heap. She began to tear at the wires with a vengeance.

It wasn’t until Scout saw the look of terror on her face that he understood what was happening. She remembered. She’d been in a tank before, and now she was relying solely on fight or flight to make sure it didn’t happen again.

“Easy,” Scout slid about in the water until he knelt by her side. “You’re safe. You’re okay. You remember me?”

Drew studied him warily, before a faint flicker of recognition flashed across her face, “Y-Yes. I’m not-I’m not with him am I?”

“No,” Scout assured, “Ronan isn’t here.”

“Ophelia!” Drax bellowed, scrambling across the drenched floor to embrace his daughter. “Oh, my baby.”

“D-Dad?” Drew stammered, “it’s you?”

“Yes,” Drax laughed, pulling back to study her.

“Someone get some towels and clothes,” Scout instructed.

“On it!” Alex called already setting off at a run.

“I-I remember,” Drew’s eyes clouded with disbelief before a grin broke out across her face, “I remember! I saw you. You and him.”

Drew pointed ecstatically at Scout who waved slightly, “hello.”

“And...Harper!” Drew left Drax behind to tackle Harper in a very damp hug.

“You’re not...you’re not supposed to be so friendly,” Harper winced at the tightness of Drew’s hug.

“And you’re Orion,” Drew ignored her friend.

“I am,” Orion smiled pleasantly.

“My cousin.”

“Your cousin,” Orion nodded, letting her hug him as well.

Scout sat there watching with a look of triumph and amusement. He was glad everything worked out okay. It seemed that Drax and Drew had managed to blend their memories together and draw out the suppressed ones Ronan hid from Drew.

Wiping his hands on his pants, Scout pumped his fist briefly in the air, before escaping the scene. He was tired and in need of a shower. Not to mention the mental fatigue of witnessing such carnage. He wasn’t sure he’d forget those images easily or at all. No wonder Drew had been so content with forgetting them.

Thankfully, when warm water hit Scout’s back, he momentarily forgot any concern he’d once had. The shower was a nice relaxing safe space and he lingered beneath the jet of water until it no longer turned his skin pink and began to grow cold.

Drying his wild mane of hair, Scout expertly tucked the towel about his waist and set to work on collecting his dirty clothes when the door burst open and he was smothered.

“I can’t believe you did it! You beautiful gorgeous boy!” Orion yelled, hugging Scout tight enough to make his lower spine crack. “You’re brilliant! Absolutely amazing.”

Scout was overwhelmed by a shower of light kisses to the face, Orion’s bright happy eyes, and the sudden awareness that it was very breezy downstairs. “Uh...”

“Come on. Say something wonder boy,” Orion laughed, punching Scout lightly in the shoulder.

“I’m naked.”

“What?”

“My-My towel. You knocked it off,” Scout rambled feeling his cheeks grow warm.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Orion scanned the floor for a moment before collecting the towel. He made a move to hand it to the embarrassed boy but he was distracted by some rather well sculpted thighs.

“You’re, uh, st-staring,” Scout reminded.

“Right. My bad.” Blinking, Orion stood upright and passed over the towel before closing his eyes.

“That doesn’t do anything,” Scout huffed, “you’ve already seen every inch of me by now.”

“I was excited,” Orion stammered. “I didn’t mean to-anyways, you did it!”

“I did.” Scout nodded, moving to his room to get dressed.

“Can I look now?”

“No!”

“Okay.”

“Now?”

“No.”

“Now?”

“No.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Yay!” Orion proceeded to celebrate as he had before showering Scout with affection and praise.

“How long are you going to do this?” Scout asked, arching a brow.

“Forever,” Orion grinned, “because I love you and you deserve it.”