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Raven took it very slow with Frei. When she got bored of sitting around, he had her kick her feet in the water a little. Then when she was bored of that, he took her over to a step in the shallow water which covered her ankles. Then after that, a little further in so her knees were under the water.


"... W-... What?" Nic asked, trying to pull his mind away from the computer.

--

Regardless, Blaze kept holding Kale's hand.

Frei looked at Raven for a long moment, "Can I jump in already?" she suddenly asked, clearly bored. "The flotation devices will keep my head up."

Laurel snorted a little coldly, "I understand you've got work to do. That it's important work. That you feel like you're wasting your time if you're not working on it. I get that. But... you don't seem to understand that... loving someone is a really big deal for me. It's terrifying and... I've never loved someone the way I love you which... makes it even more frightening. I never know how you feel and... I hate it." she stated quietly, still glaring slightly at his back, "I really hate being this vulnerable."

--

Eventually a small moan escaped from Kale and the doctors began taking notes on different things.

"... If you feel like you're ready," Raven told her, crossing his arms.


Nic took another moment to pull himself away from the computer. "I told you, I'm not good with feelings," he explained to Laurel as calmly as he could, but the work was starting to stress him out a little. "This is... a big deal for me to. But I need to keep you safe and to do that I need to find something before the group returns."

So Frei jumped off the step and disappeared under the water. After a moment the floaties did bring her to the surface but she was coughing horribly, it appeared that she'd inhaled some water.

Laurel stared at Nic for a long moment, her expression harder than normal, "When did you first start loving me?" she suddenly demanded.

Raven quickly went over to Frei and picked her up, making sure she was okay.


Nic's face contorted a little like it usually did when he thought really hard. He processed his thoughts for several minutes before concluding, "Your birthday."

And then Frei did a very surprising thing. She clung to Raven's neck and started to laugh. Her laugh was light and slightly musical, like a little bird.

"... So fast?" Laurel asked, some of the edge finally leaving her voice.

Raven was clearly surprised for a moment before laughing with her.

Nic took a long moment to process Laurel's question before nodding slowly.

Frei continued to giggle, her small, thin frame hardly any weight in Raven's arms. Quickly she pointed at the slide, a child's desire adventure in her eyes.

"Because... I was like your brother?" she clarified further.

Raven chuckled. "Do you want me to go with you, or should I catch you at the bottom?" he asked her.

After a minute, Nic hesitantly shook his head.

Frei seemed to consider this for a moment, eyes growing more serious, "With." she decided.

Laurel looked confused, "But... that's what you told me." she replied, "You said I reminded you of your brother. How he always saw the best in people, you said it wasn't love when we were on the Juttle so how could you have loved me since my birthday?"

Raven nodded with a smile as he helped her dog paddle over to the side of the pool.

"... It depends on the love you mean," Nic tried to explain. "This that I feel now; it started on your birthday."

Frei seemed to prefer that he just carry her over to the side. Once out of the water, though, she ran lightly up the stairs to the top before waiting for Raven with an impatient little dance.

Laurel frowned and was silent for awhile, "So... what you're saying is... you started to really love me on the day of my birthday, then thought it was just sibling love for awhile before realizing that it wasn't?" she asked, glancing up at him.

Raven told her not to run, but didn't spoil her fun. As soon as he got to the top he sat down and put Frei in his lap. "Ready?" he asked her.


"... Uh..." Nic muttered, having a little trouble following her logic. But he didn't spend too long trying to sort it out. "I think so," he replied.

Frei let out a squeal that sounded an awful lot like a chirp as she nodded.

Laurel was silent for a long time, trying to work something out in her mind. The dark flashes were back and growing strong but finally she sighed and opened her heart. "Nic... I'm scared." she admitted quietly, "I love you more than anyone but I... I don't know what you've done. I don't know who you were in the past, I don't know your family, I don't know why you're involved with these gangs, became a hacker, have so many people after you. I don't know so many things and yet, I still love you. I love... your soul, the essence of who you are." she paused, "But I'm... a little f-frightened to find out." here she hesitated before forging on, "Not because I'm worried I won't love you anymore. I don't think... there's anything you could ever do that would make me stop loving you." she admitted, voice dropping to a whisper, "But because... I know it will hurt me so much... to hear what you've been through. I know it will break my heart."

Raven didn't give any warning as he suddenly pushed off with a smirk on his face.

Nic turned away from Laurel part way through. When she was done, he ran a hand through his hair. "... I don't have time to go through it now," he replied quietly. "And I don't think that would be wise either. I'll... tell you in time... But... I'm not sure even you would believe me. And even if you did, no one else would. So that's why I have to work. I have to find proof. Running is no longer an option. I have to make the others believe me."

Frei was surprise as she let out a little scream of fear which turned to joy as she threw her hands and enjoyed the ride.

Laurel shook her head, "Let me finish." she ordered quietly, "I have no desire to know, for the present. I will not ask you or judge you regarding it. If I hear anything from others I won't pay attention because I will wait for you to tell me. I'll wait 'til you're ready, have evidence, whatever, because I trust you, Nic. I have trusted you from the very beginning and I will continue to trust you until the very end. I will never, to the best of my ability, turn my back on you. Even if you can't find evidence and everyone else does." she stated firmly. "I... I'm not confused anymore, Nic. I'll do my best to be strong for you right now. I won't burden you with feelings..." she paused, "Because I understand you need to focus. But you're not alone anymore, remember that." she reminded him quietly as she suddenly lifted the shirt back up and began to sow again.