Work Text:
Rhys was just trying to build his house when someone knocked on the door. Rhys fumbled with the spruce planks he was holding with a small shocked noise. Uh oh. Uh oh. What if one of the other vampires found out they told someone?! Did one of them see Rhys leave Sorrel and Elowen that barrel?!
Walking over to the edge, he leans over and spots Valerie. Immediately their heart starts racing and his breathing catches. Valerie was here, the Valerie that turned her- hurt her, killed her! But… Valerie was also one of the first to welcome Rhys, who always tried to keep her from getting lost. Who… Rhys admittedly still trusted a little.
“Uh… hello, Valerie…” Rhys says, and they watch Valerie's head tilt up and they immediately smile upon seeing them. Rhys’ heart hurts (can they even say that anymore? They have no heart that beats anymore… is this why Valerie was so cold the other day? Rhys never liked being cold, but now they wish they could) at seeing them smile at her.
Rhys can't tell if everything had been a lie to trick him into trusting them (if it had, it worked), or if it was genuine.
He doesn't know which one is worse…
“Hi Rhys! Can I come in?” Rhys nods before they can even think of saying no. Just, just keep them happy and maybe things won't be so bad. Valerie happily walks in and Rhys climbs down the ladder, still a little nervous around the person who turned them. Once down, Rhys turns to see Valerie's bright smile (so bright, so happy to see them?)
Rhys shuffles where he stands. It felt like being ho-at the house again, standing before his parents awaiting judgement for his choices.
“Is there, uhm, something you needed?” He asks, before moving over to his chests. That was a good question, right? He thinks it is, at least. He doesn't know anymore. Rhys is realizing he actually doesn't know a lot of things.
She sometimes wishes she had just let the bandits take her. That may have been a kinder fate. Or even not getting jumped at all. Living in a loveless political marriage suddenly doesn't sound too bad. Her hands stop moving in the chest as they start to stare into nothing. They want to go home. They miss the cold loveless manor with their strict parents. The way that their tutors at least treated them with kindness, even if they were only getting paid to. They miss real food.
They miss Her.
The thought makes them fully freeze. He hasn't thought about Her in months. But that is what makes them want to cry. He doesn't know where She is, or, or-
They need to stop thinking right now.
“Rhyssss!” He jolts, he forgot Valerie was here, “Rhys! Are you in there? Nocturne Grove to Rhysie!”
“Yes, I'm… forgive me, I didn't mean to ignore you.” Rhys straightens and faces his… Friend? Sire? …Companion, “What was it you were saying?”
Valerie laughs, a nice and friendly sound, and Rhys hates that she relaxes. Valerie had been one of the first people to be kind and welcoming to Rhys, and all they want is to believe that Valerie really didn't mean for it to hurt so much.
...His shoulder still aches. And his stomach lurches in hunger. He ignores it. He's not hungry.
“You're so cute, I was just wondering how you were on food. It's my job to care for you! I want to protect you!” And Rhys knows they mean it, that's partially what makes him feel a little bad about teaming with Glenn and the others. Then he blinks and it fades. He doesn't want anyone to end up like him. Scared and betrayed and conflicted.
“And also ask if you want help with your house… I know The Captain and I kinda… prevented you from that yesterday, and I want to make up for it.” Valerie reveals they have a few stacks of Spruce and Dark Oak. Rhys nods, she does want this house done.
They fall into a comfortable routine after that. Valerie chatters away and Rhys joins in occasionally. He hopes they can keep being friends through this.
Wait, friends? Rhys stalls and blinks. He…wants to be friends with the person who took his humanity away? Then he thinks more.
Yeah…he does. He wants to be friends with Valerie and Glenn and Sorrel and Elowen.
He doesn't really care for the Captain, though.
But they also know that this is likely only setting them up for heartbreak. Again. No matter what, they have a feeling something Bad will happen.
“Rhys? Everything okay?” Valerie was beside her, when did they get there? They look at her and Rhys realizes she has yet to answer.
“Uh- yeah… I'm okay.” He manages to stutter out, and Valerie smiles at him like how an owner looks at a pathetic puppy. Amusement and something terrifyingly fond.
“That's good! I'm here if you need anything! Anything at all.”
“I know. Thank you.”