darker_london | Safe as Houses (Flynn, Autumn)

When Flynn woke up, he wasn't any calmer than he had been the previous morning. Though he was clearly in his own room, as James had opted to sleep with his father that night, there was clearly someone in his bed, crawling up towards him, and it sure as hell wasn't Quinn. Flynn had his eyes closed, but he could tell. Whoever this was, they didn't move like Quinn.

Flynn opened his eyes in a panic and he caught a flash of blond hair before he realised his intruder was Autumn. "Oh thank fuck." He breathed, and he reached out to touch her arm.

"Flynn! I didn't mean to wake you." She looked absolutely apologetic. "I'm so sorry."

"What time is it?" Flynn croaked, glancing to the windows which were still quite dim. "Must be early."

"Eight." Autumn chuckled. "Which is why I was trying not to wake you. I herd you were up with the birds and the two-year-olds yesterday morning. He's downstairs with his Aunt Abby right now. She let me in."

Flynn sat up and he reached out to hug his friend. He hadn't seen her since...Amaris. "Autumn. How are you?" He asked, pulling her close to him. Clearly he didn't mind being woken up so early. Not one bit. Especially not by Autumn. "Are you alright? Is...is something wrong?"

"No." Autumn shook her head and she gave Flynn's cheek a tiny kiss. "Nothing's wrong. I think I just...I needed to see you for myself."

"At eight?" Flynn asked, though there was no hint of annoyance in his voice. Only worry that she was here so early without explanation.

"Yeah." Autumn fidgeted. "I couldn't sleep. Timothy told me about you helping James and I thought about what you did for me in that place... I haven't see you... I was afraid you would think I was angry with you."

"Oh, Autumn. No. No, I didn't think that. I just figured you needed some time. Hell, I needed time."

"But you're okay now?" Autumn asked, reaching out to run her fingers over his neck, just under what was still a pretty nasty looking cut, though at least the stitches could come out soon.

"I'm alright. It doesn't hurt as much now. And I cover it in public. I get less nasty looks that way. People just don't...they can't understand. Hell, I didn't understand until now." Flynn had been through hell and back, some would say, but he had never been in the hands of a demon until Amaris. And Amaris, it seemed, had a rather peculiar talent for breaking people from the inside out. Flynn was not broken, as old scar tissue had seen to that. He couldn't be broken with a week's starvation, pain, and unwanted encounters. That didn't mean Autumn knew that. She had scar tissue too, though. Built tough now, to keep out the trauma. Even with that protection, it had been bloody close. For both of them.

"I didn't even know." Autumn whispered.

"Were you just going to..sleep until I woke up?" Flynn asked, amused.

"Something like that." Autumn moved then, curling up at his side. "I just had to see for myself that you were alright. I couldn't sleep until I did."

Flynn leaned to his side and he kissed her forehead. "I get that. You might want to be careful though. Under the blankets, I'm...starkers."

Autumn chuckled at that, and it was a testament to how much she trusted him that she didn't squeal and leap off the bed until he put some clothes on. Autumn wouldn't be alone in a room with many men, naked or no, but she clearly wasn't worried at all. "I'll make sure to turn my blushing eyes if your blankets are inadvertantly indiscreet."

"Good stuff." He wrapped his arms around Autumn and he smiled when she cuddled up to his chest.

"So you've been basking in the kidlove, hmm?" Autumn asked, her voice soft but happy.

"Yeah. It's great! James and I are going to the museum later, to look at dead dinosaurs. And he'll probably teach me more than he'll learn himself. He's an incredible kid. So brilliant for his age."

"Is that because he's an...angel?"

"Probably." Flynn nodded. "They do seem to pick up on things more easily. Peter's daughter Anna can read a room like...no one else. It's incredible. And James is like a little genius. And Mara can empathise with practically anyone. And you know Spectre and his god-like guitar abilities, though that could be natural." Flynn grinned. "I think being born that way must give them some sort of...cerebral edge."

"Oooh, good word."

Flynn chuckled. "Quinn said that very thing the other day, I can't claim credit for it." Flynn rested his cheek against her fair hair and he breathed out slowly. "We got out, Autumn. We're safe now." And he wasn't just referring to Amaris. He meant their former lives as well. When they had first met, neither of them had been as secure and happy as they were today. They had been unsecure and unhappy and mistreated. And they had gotten themselves out of those situations. Both of them. With a little help from their amazing friends.

"I know." Autumn breathed contentedly. She rested there awhile, letting that note hang in the air, and then she turned to look at him. "Are you hungry? I can make you breakfast?"

"I think you'd be my favourite person ever if you did that." Flynn grinned. Autumn food was exquisite. "Thank you."

"It's my pleasure, Flynn." Autumn gave him a little squeeze. "I love you."

"I love you too, Autumn." Flynn let his eyes fall closed, feeling perfectly content.