Everest noticed Flare's gaze and put his arm around her "don't worry about it, alright? They hold up well. It's just getting time for me to get a new pair. Besides... if all goes according to plan, I'll have more than one pair of shoes. Just don't even worry about it. I'm alive... I have shoes and a roof over my head. I have food three times a day and proper medical care at no cost. yeah... I don't have a family anymore and I might be the next one to be collected if things don't work out... but most pixies have learned to live each day like it was their last and to just be grateful. It's the only way we can cope with the tragedy around us" he encouraged, rubbing her arm gently. He wasn't trying to be romantic... he really wasn't.

Sweet Pea frowned "what about your sister and brother?" she asked, a pout on her face. At least she had a mother and father to love her, even if she didn't have grandparents. Involuntarily, she yawned a large yawn, but she was determined to stay awake... for a little while. "Sweet Pea, why don't you lay down? you medicine is probably making you drowsy" Kara suggested. Sweet Pea shook her head "no, I don't want to sleep!" she argued. "I didn't say sleep. I said lay down. Sleep when you want to. We'll stay here if you'd like" Kara offered "yes please" Sweet Pea answered and slid under the covers.

Flare felt even worse after he'd finished. She turned toward him and buried her face in his chest. Hot tears were rolling down her cheeks. "I...I can't believe it...I've been so preoccupied with myself, that I didn't even think about the pixies for years."

Frost smiled and kissed her cheek. "Void is nice enough. And Flare is a sweetheart. Its a wonder we actually came from our parents." He watched her snuggle under the covers and smiled down at her softly. She was so damn cute.

Everest was startled, but not really surprised. he simply wrapped his arms around her and held her "hey... it's alright. You're privileged to live in the city and have the luxuries that come with that, but you suffer just as much as we do. You always live in fear. You never leave your home so you won't be attacked. We don't leave our colony or anything for fear of being attacked. You suffer more, I would argue. We have each other, what's left of us, and we have the volunteers here that are always giving us a smile... you have your brothers and Kara. You're all alone... but it's alright. None of us are alone anymore. Things will work out... I can feel it" he whispered into her ear, his lips just grazing her ear. That wasn't on purpose... really!

Sweet Pea smiled and yawned again "well... I want to meet them... one... day" she mumbled, her eyes drifting shut. Kara smiled and settled into the bed. "We should head home soon" she pointed out as she brushed Sweet Pea's hair. She was so tiny! She was just a toddler by fairy standards.

Flare slowly calmed down with his words. She slowly looked up after wiping her eyes. She blinked up at him really. Against the sky, his face looked almost angelic. It made her blush softly just for thinking it. Then she realized what position she was in and her heart did a flip.

Frost nodded slightly. "I suppose we should. But I'll wait for Flare before I leave."

Wow... it's been too long since he's enjoyed the company of a young woman in his arms... a pretty one too. He smiled at her, especially when she blushed. He couldn't help it. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear "you look cute when you blush." He lingered there for awhile. Did she want anything? She's probably never experienced it before, did she want to now?

Kara nodded "that sounds reasonable" she said and scooted over to his side until she was sitting in his lap. "Today's been really busy... and eventful. I'll probably go straight to sleep tonight" she commented as she rested her head on his chest. He was so wonderful.

Flare's eyes widened a little. This was a little too much for her, but she couldn't pull away. Her face turned a deep red. She couldn't speak, looking at him.

Frost smiled and kissed her softly. "Do you mind if I hold you while you sleep?"

Everest pulled away "I'm sorry, I'm going to fast. That's a chronic problem of mine. I didn't even pause to see if you were ok with it. I'm sorry, I really am" he apologized, taking in her wide eyes and deep red face.

Kara smiled "I would love it if you held me while I sleep, but I'm not sure I want to sleep right now. If I do then I know I have someone holding me and watching over our little girl..." she trailed off and smiled, taking in the sound of her words "that sounded wonderful" she whispered.

Flare looked at him for a moment, then shook her head a little. "Its...ok. I'm just not used to all this." She looked at his chest as if she were ashamed. She'd never had anyone act like this toward her before. She'd always seen herself as ugly because of it.

Frost nodded in agreement, holding her gently and swaying a little.

Everest held Flare close, resting his chin on her head. "You should be used to it. You shouldn't think you're unattractive because it doesn't happen. You are very beautiful... I just hope that I don't scare you away" he told her.

Kara smiled and let herself close her eyes, falling into a soft slumber.

Flare gently gripped his shirt. "You won't..." She slowly moved to look up at him. "Thank you, Everest..." She looked at him with a small smile on her face. Her eyes did a sort of shining thing, as if she was truely touched by what he'd said.

Frost stayed where he was, holding Kara and watching both her and Sweet Pea sleep. He was wondering what happened to Flare.

Everest swallowed nervously when Flare looked at him with those glittering eyes of hers. She looked so delicious! How was he supposed to stay away? Not only was he attracted to her, but he's been without romance for years! Certainly it's been long enough that it's time for him to start having some romance in his life! "N...no problem" he answered.

Flare looked at him like that for a moment, before her face slowly turned worried. "I'm sorry....I just...nobody's ever called me that before...I didn't mean to make you nervous or anything." She gently took her hands back and held them against her chest as if she couldn't trust herself.

Everest quickly reached forward and drew her hands back to his chest "No... it's fine. Honestly... you just looked so pretty that I had a hard time keeping myself back" he admitted before he pressed his lips to her hand "I... I don't want to push you farther than you are comfortable."

Flare was shocked from the sudden movement, then she smiled softly at him. "Alright...I believe you." She didn't know how this would end, but she loved the new sensation he gave her. She loved that he was willing to give her time to get used to things as they came and didn't want to push her. It meant alot.

Everest's gaze was tender as he looked at Flare before he looked away "your brother is probably looking for you, huh? Why don't we head back to the colony? I think we've had enough... adventure for the day. Maybe.,.. we could do this again some other time?" he suggested.

Flare smiled and nodded slightly. She didn't want to go. But, she knew that if Frost was looking for her, then she'd feel bad if he couldn't find her and he got super worried. She sighed softly and looked at Everest. "I'm not sure I could come here alone though..." She was still sort of afraid of coming outside of her home. If people found out that she was coming here...they might very well attack her again.

Everest stood up, bringing Flare with him "come with Frost or Kara. They'll be here anyway... It's alright. Things will be better when it's illegal to hunt pixies" he encouraged and picked up his shoes before he set off for the hospital. "I think I saw him go to the hospital awhile ago, maybe he's still there" he commented, holding Flare's hand as they walked. He's missed this...

Flare nodded slightly to his encouragements. She hadn't the heart to tell him it might not work. She just gently squeezed his hand and gave him an almost loving look. She didn't think she'd be able to stay home after today.

Upon reaching the hospital, Everest spotted Frost. He bowed low and kissed flares hand, looking into her eyes "until later, my lady" he whispered, a soft smile on his face before he reluctantly pulled away and headed back to his home... his... empty home. The joy he'd felt all day suddenly disappeared as he remembered reality. He picked up his wedding picture and then the most recent one of their daughter and settled into his bed. "Am I doing the right thing? Cherry, you'd want me to move on, right? It's been six years. And now Snowflake's gone. I have no one now... She... she seems to like me, even if she doesn't know what she's feeling. I... I like her... I really do. She... made me happier than I've been in a long time. I miss you Cherry" he whispered as he curled up, holding the pictures to his chest, letting the tears flow.

Flare smiled at Frost, then smiled as Everest walked away. She then came over and leaned against Frost. "Is it weird that I like him?" Frost chuckled and russled her hair. "I could tell when you first saw him. Me and Kara both knew it."

Kara stirred when she heard a rumbling. When she opened her eyes, she noticed that Flare was there, Frost was probably speaking to her. She stretched slightly, getting over the feeling of being asleep and smiled at Flare "did you have fun with Everest?" she asked, glancing over at Sweet Pea, who was still asleep.

Flare nodded a little, smiling. "He showed me around. Then we went and sat by the lake. I've never been there before...that kinda sad now that I think about it." Her smiled slipped slightly when she realized how much she'd missed by holing herself up inside her home.

Kara smiled and curled up to Frost, still half-asleep. "Don't worry about it. We all have our reasons for not doing things. I'm focused in on pixie support, which means I don't have a lot of friends and I'm ridiculed if people ever find out. I don't ever join in at family functions because I'm the only one that believes it's wrong to eat pixie hearts. They haven't disowned me, but I refuse to go over there. They don't understand. We have our reasons. At least you went now... and you went with someone you enjoy being with" she said and turned to Frost "how about we notify Sweet Pea that we're leaving? I'm getting hungry and I still need to get something for her birthday tomorrow" she asked.

Flare smiled, reassured now by Kara's words. "Thank you." Then she gently tugged on Frost's hand. "Can I go? I want to help shop for my niece." She giggled softly at the sound of the word coming from her mouth.

Kara giggled "of course you can come" she answered as she leaned over to shake Sweet Pea awake. "Mmmrh?" the pixie mumbled. "Sweet Pea, mommy and daddy are leaving now, alright? We'll be back tomorrow for your birthday, just like we promised, plus your Aunt Flare wants to come as well, is that alright?" she asked. The pixie yawned and nodded, giving Kara a hug and then giving one to Frost before she settled back into bed, her eyes closed the entire time. "Come on, let's let her sleep" Kara suggested and gently pulled Frost out of the tent.