"We were in the caves," Zachary says, already carrying Cas over to Halm. "Some water dropped on his head." Halm stood, meeting Zachary half way and carefully reaching out to touch Cas's forehead.
"It'll be okay, Cas," Halm said softly.
Cas whimpered quietly and closed his eyes, huddling closer to Zachary. Nix followed the two of them worriedly. "Can we get rid of the memory? He really doesn't have a lot of places he feels safe here… he needs to have something."
"I can," Halm said gently, "but it'll take some time. I'll have to reconstruct the rest of his memories after the incident from scratch." He carefully took Cas from Zachary's arms. Zachary stayed right next to Cas, holding his hand close. Halm laid Cas down on the couch, putting his hand back on Cas's forehead.
"Sleep," he commanded softly.
Cas went limp and relaxed when Halm forced him to sleep, though his breathing took a few more seconds to even out. Nix hovered around, meowing anxiously with his ears turned back.
Halm put both hands on Cas's head now, closing his eyes as he concentrated. He worked in silence for several minutes, sweat beads forming on his brow. Zachary watched with concern, biting his lip lightly. Finally, Halm drew away with a sigh.
"He remembers going to the cave," Halm started. "You had a wonderful time together, then came back for dinner. Come, sit with him. He'll think he fell asleep waiting for food on your lap." Zachary nodded silently, sitting down and pulling Cas close.
"Mm…" Cas stirred a bit in Zachary's lap and yawned, looking up at him. He smiled softly and huddled close. "Did I fall asleep?" He asked sleepily.
Nix watched the two of them worriedly, sticking close to Halm's side.
"You did," Zachary said with a soft smile. He had to play a song perfectly- if not, Cas's memories would collapse on themselves. Halm put and arm around Nix, seeing how worried he was, and led him into the kitchen. There could be no inconsistencies. Zachary gave Cas a soft smile.
"Did you have fun?"
"Mm… sorry." Cas yawned again and rested his head against Zachary's shoulder. "Yeah, it was a lot of fun. Thanks for taking me, Zachary." He smiled gently.
"You're welcome," Zachary said. "I'm glad you had fun." He smiled, rubbing Cas's back lightly.
"Dinner should be done soon." He lightly rested his head on Cas's, nuzzling him a little.
"Mmkay." Cas relaxed in Zachary's arms, seeming to be content. "What's for dinner?" He asked softly.
"Chicken," Zachary said, smelling it now. Halm was coming quietly, holding Nix's hand in his own.
"Be careful when you talk to Cas," he said quietly. "Don't let him know anything happened."
Nix nodded weakly, trying to force himself to relax.
"Mm… chicken sounds good. Smells nice, too." Cas tucked his head under Zachary's chin.
"He's okay," Halm said gently. "He doesn't know anything happened." He lightly patted Nix's head, trying to help him.
Zachary smiled a little.
"It does. Must be almost done."
Nix buried his face in Halm's arm, sighing softly. "I'm just… I'm worried about him…"
"Mm… yeah." Cas smiled as well. "I dunno about you, but I'm starving."
"He'll be okay," Halm said gently. "He doesn't remember a thing. He remembers having a good day. No fear, nothing like that." He picked up the two plates for Cas and Zachary, bringing them out. Zachary looked up, smiling. He was a good actor, for sure.
Nix nodded, forcing his ears up and faking a smile. Cas looked up when they brought in the food and smiled, not seeming to notice that Nix was faking. "Thanks, Halm."
"You're welcome," Halm said. He held out the plates, which Zachary took. He offered one of Cas, smiling a little. Halm sat down on the other end of the couch, bringing Nix with him. He was intent on helping Nix relax.
Cas started eating happily, seeming pleased with the food. He clearly didn't remember anything about the water from earlier.
Nix huddled up in Halm's lap, closing his eyes and facing away from Cas so he couldn't see how nervous he was.
Zachary ate as well, easily acting like nothing had happened. To Cas, nothing had, which meant Zachary believed so too. He smiled softly. The food was good.
Halm wrapped his arms around Nix, rubbing his head lightly. He thought a moment of helping Nix calm down, but he would ask first, once they were alone.
(😏)
Cas seemed to be in good spirits from what he remembered as a good visit to the cave. He soon finished his food and huddled closer to Zachary.
Nix leaned into Halm's hand and sighed, keeping his eyes closed. He was relaxing slightly, but was still noticeably pretty tense.
(MADDIE. NO.)
Zachary finished as well, setting the two plates aside and holding Cas close. He was in a better mood too, now that Cas was doing better.
"I'd there anything else you wish to do today?" He asked.
Halm leaned his head a bit closer to Nix's, pulling him a little closer. He said nothing, knowing Cas could hear. Instead, he just hummed a little, knowing he could easily write it off to Cas if need be.
(Consent is important, I appreciate it lol)
"Mm… I dunno. We could just watch a movie or something. Preferably one that wouldn't be upsetting…"
Nix nuzzled against Halm's cheek, purring weakly. He curled his tail around himself and tried to keep quiet.
(I- it's true consent is important for everything, no matter what XD)
"Alright then," Zachary said. "We'll find something to watch together then." He picked up the remote, flipping through to find one that would be okay.
Halm leaned a little in to Nix when he was nuzzled, rubbing Nix's back now. He stood, holding Nix and collecting the plates as an excuse.
"Mmkay. What do you think I would like?" He asked, looking up at Zachary curiously.
Nix huddled closer to Halm when he was picked up, burying his face in the other's chest. He curled his tail around the other's arm.
"Well, there are plenty of Disney movies that shouldn't upset you," Zachary said. Little Mermaid was out of the question, of course.
"Do you know any you'd want to watch?"
Halm carried Nix and the plates into the kitchen, setting the plates down and turning his attention to Nix.
"I can help you calm down," Halm said gently. "Like how I help Cas sleep, or with his memories. Are you okay with me helping like that?" He held Nix close, rubbing his back.
(Not as exciting as I hoped lol)
"Um… Lady and the Tramp, maybe? That one would be okay, right?" He asked, resting his head against Zachary's shoulder.
"Y-Yeah, sure… whatever you wanna do is fine… just… hold me, please…" Nix shuffled closer and sighed shakily.
(that's what you get for thinking I'll rush this i say as I type out this next scene)
"Sounds good to me," Zachary said. He quietly pulled up the moment, smiling softly. He held Cas close, running his fingers through Cas's hair.
"Okay then," Halm said gently. He sat down on a kitchen chair, holding Nix close. He kept both arms wrapped around Nix, leaning down and lightly kissing Nix's forehead. A soft wave of calm was sent out from this small gesture, Halm's influence over Nix gentle.
(Lmao)
Cas relaxed at Zachary's touch, clearly enjoying his hair being played with. He smiled softly and turned his attention to the movie.
Nix flushed a bit when Halm kissed him and relaxed, melting into the other's touch. He lay himself across Halm's chest, purring contentedly.
Zachary smiled, noting how much Cas seemed to enjoy his hair being played with. Zachary leaned back in the couch, relaxing with Cas on his lap and he watched to movie with him.
Halm kissed Nix one last time, holding him gently and rubbing his back. Perhaps Halm hadn't actually used his influence. Perhaps he had just kissed Nix to first time as well.
(Lmaooo gottem)
Cas watched the movie curiously, convincing himself that he wasn't scared of these dogs because they were animated and nice and not real.
Nix nuzzled against Halm's chest, huddling close to him. He smiled softly and seemed to calm down, no longer thinking about Cas.
(Me, forgetting that Cas is scared of dogs)