Warmth and Safety

Chapter 3 Part 1

Daniella woke up to the smell of something sweet and woodsy in her face. She peeled her eyes open and remembered where she was. It was Ignis’s smell, in Ignis’s bed.The broad window across the wall let in the light of the sunrise.

Sitting up, she looked around the room. Casting a quick spell to assess her surroundings, she realized Ignis was already awake. Her magic was more sensitive than usual, and the spell seemed to cast further than she intended. She could feel Infero seemed to be gone, and Mari was asleep. Ignis’s thin frame had been moving through the kitchen.

She pulled at the hem of his shirt. While he was fairly lean and tall, she had other assets that pulled his shirt to barely below her bottom. It didn’t help that she was also tall herself and always had been.

She stood and stretched, feeling someone else getting close to the apartment. Ignis started moving towards the door, quickly. He hesitated there with the other person for a few minutes. Then he began walking back to his room.

She blushed and quickly looked around for something to cover herself. By the time she thought to go look in the closet for a coat, he opened the door.

He was in the same sweats she’d watched in leave in the night before, as well as an apron with a grease stain on it. The pile of clothes in his hands explained why he was in here.

He stopped when he noticed her out of bed. His eyes darted down her body quickly, before he looked away from her and cleared his throat, “Good morning. I’m just going to leave these here.” He placed the clothes down on the dresser and turned around. “Feel free to use the bathroom or the robe that’s in there, if we have to do this again. It might be more comfortable for you. Breakfast is almost ready, too.” After saying that he left the room.

Daniella grabbed a set of clothes quickly, and rushed into the bathroom. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she let out a sigh. Just as Miranda had warned her, her hair had frizzed considerably. She started smoothing it out with water.

The clothes thankfully fit her well. They were more colorful than her clothes assigned at the palace, but she didn’t mind too much. The soft top was a cream color, with a dark red design across it, matched with some plain jeans.

She smiled. She was only allowed training attire or guard’s uniform at the palace. Even on off days, she wasn’t allowed to wear casual clothes. The day before yesterday she had promised herself one of the first things she’d buy was some regular clothes.

The shock of everything that happened yesterday resurfaced. By all rights, she was supposed to be walking free right now, not in her friend’s fiance’s bathroom trying on other people’s clothes and waiting to resume her duties as a guard. While a part of her had been sad before about leaving Mari, she would be lying if she said she hadn’t been excited about the promise of her own life as well. Now she had agreed to another year of this.

She shook the thoughts away. She had agreed to this. It was her choice this time, unlike before. Reaching for her hairband, she resolved that when Mari was settled, she’d go back to the palace, get her freedom, and visit her friend often, this time no worries about her safety.

Exiting the room, she noticed Ignis was untying his apron. She felt heat on her cheeks as the lean muscles of his back came into her view. He was very fit, more so than most of the men she trained with as a guard. Having hung the apron, he turned around, and her eyes dropped to his abs before quickly darting elsewhere. She was being rude, staring at her friend’s fiance.

She kept repeating that phrase in her head, as she wandered into the kitchen area of the room. The counters were clean, spare a few plates with food on them. An egg dish, similar to quiche they served in the palace, seemed to be the only protein. Every other dish seemed to be veggies or bread.

Ignis looked up at her as she approached. His smile filled her with warmth again, and she instinctively smiled back.

“What is all this then?” She asked, “Don’t tell me the gods cook like this everyday.”

Ignis laughed, “No, definitely not.” He handed her a plate, “This is an apology of sorts. For the improper sleeping conditions last night.”

“Aww,” She teased, “Here I was hoping you planned to flex like this everyday.” At the mention of flexing, her eyes instinctively dropped, but she quickly recovered.

Amusement was dancing in his eyes, “I do enjoy cooking. Maybe I’ll keep flexing for today.”

She laughed, covering her mouth before adding, “You know, I thought you said your brother was the flirt. You best stop, or you’ll make your fiancee jealous.”

He stopped laughing, apparently considering something. Then she remembered. That’s right, he didn’t know he was engaged until yesterday. He needed to adjust to this situation, too.

He recovered quickly though. Smiling again, he pointed to the egg dish. “The frittatas are good. My specialty. No guarantees about the croissants.”

She nodded, grabbing her food, “Not much of a baker, I’m guessing.”

“Not on short notice. Those are from a tube, really.” He was watching her collect his food, before clearing his throat, “I suppose I should get dressed. Today will be rather busy, unfortunately, so we’ll need to get going soon.”

“I’ll get Mari up then. She’s a slow riser.” Daniella turned around to set her plate down, but Ignis was already gone. She made a mental note to ask him if all fire gods just disappeared when they weren’t talking to humans.

Before she could go to Mari’s room, Infero walked through the door without opening it. As she stared at him he let out wail and threw himself onto the couch, before sobbing. She began approaching him, when she was overwhelmed with the smell of alcohol and vomit. She clasped her hand to her mouth and gagged.

“I am too good enough.” He muttered between sobs, “Fate said so, so I say so.” He continued mumbling.

Mari’s door opened, and a very confused, very grumpy Mari peeked her head out to investigate. She turned to Daniella and mouthed, “Is he drunk? It’s seven in the morning.”

Daniella nodded, and mouthed back, “Get ready for breakfast; I’ll take care of him.”

As Mari returned to her room, Daniella grabbed the plate she’d just made and made her way over to the couch. She set the plate down in her lap, and rubbed Infero’s back as he continued to sob.

“Hey, Infero. You should eat something. It’ll make you feel a bit better.”

Infero looked up from his position on the couch, and then pulled Daniella towards him. The food slid on the plate, but she managed to prevent any of it from spilling.

“Why you?” His voice hitched in another sob, “Why are you even here? We don’t want you here, you don’t want to be here. I wouldn’t be in any trouble with Mari if you weren’t here.” He continued mumbling, burying his face in her lap. “What are you even supposed to do? I never meant to upset her.”

“You are upsetting me though.” Ignis’s voice rang out loud and clear from his doorway.

Daniella jumped, but Infero held on tight. His hands burned, and she yelped, “Stop it!”

Ignis was already over to them by that point though, hauling his brother off of her, “You’ll burn her, you drunken i***t. Let go.”

Infero, now upright, let go of her. Ignis grabbed the food from her and shooed her away from him. “Go see to Mari. Don’t come back out until I tell you to.”

She nodded and jumped off the couch, moving quickly to Mari’s door. Mari was already there, half dressed, glaring at the two on the couch. Daniella just pulled her back into the room.

Once they were inside the room, the interrogation began, “What did he do to you, Nells?”

“He just held onto me too tight is all, Mari. I tried to get him to eat something and he started crying about something.” She shook her head.

Her friend traced her fingers down her sides, and Daniella jumped. Without a second to process what she was doing, Daniella’s friend lifted her shirt and exposed her side. The cold air felt horrible against her warm side, and Daniella quickly pulled it back down. Mari was already turned around again though, and out of the room.

“Mari!” She called out, but her friend ignored her, and made her way to the couch.

“Ms. Mar-” Ignis started to warn her, obviously annoyed.

“Shut your mouth, useless.” She pushed him out of the way, and then a smack resounded throughout the room. “You think hurting people is going to make you feel better, huh asshole?”

Infero had grabbed his face, “Why-?”

“You burned my friend, that’s why!”

Daniella grabbed Mari by the waist, trying to be careful not to hurt her friend, and pulled her back and away from the situation. Her sides burned from the action, and she could only move her back a few feet before she was out of breath, “It’s fine, Mari.” She spat out. The strain in her voice made her sound pathetically unbelievable.

Mari again rushed Infero, but now Ignis was in between them, and stopped her from hitting his brother again.

Infero hung his head, crying still, “I didn’t mean to. I never wanted you to be angry with me.” He slurred something else, shaking and rocking back and forth.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Daniella finally threatened, “I think this has been enough excitement for you this morning, Mari. Come get dressed, or I’ll hurt myself more trying to carry you back to your room.”

Mari turned to look at her, but Daniella kept her face trained into the typical neutral stare guards wore when they had to detain anyone. Her friend let out an aggravated shriek, before stomping back to her room.

Daniella followed, but Ignis grabbed her arm. Silently, he lifted the side of her shirt, and saw the burn Infero had left. Anger flashed on his face, but was gone in an instant as he nodded and pointed to Mari’s room again. Not wanting to linger and risk Mari coming looking for her, she made her way off to her room.

Mari was moving shirts from side to side in her closet, “You never wear s**t like that either. Where did he even get your clothes from?”

“The palace didn’t pack me any clothes, so Ignis borrowed some from a coworker.”

“Nothing?” Mari looked at her, still thoroughly angry. “So first, they sign you up for another year, with nothing to show for it, and then they don’t even bother to pack your clothes. What, do they expect you to wander around the gods naked?” Her friend huffed, “Actually, I bet these gods would love that.”

Daniella sighed, and rather than let her friend continue abusing the poor hangers, grabbed a shirt and handed it to Mari. After she sat down on her bed, Daniella countered her previous argument. “Ignis gave me a shirt to wear last night. If he wanted me wandering around naked, that’s when it would have happened.”

Mari stopped buttoning her shirt, and glanced up at Daniella, “He gave you one of his shirts?” She looked Daniella up and down, before adding, “I almost think that’s worse than naked. How’d your boobs even fit in that?”

“Mari!” Her voice squeaked, and Daniella started rubbing her breasts.

“I’m just saying, it’d be a tight fit.” Her friend’s voice was dripping with suspicion. Mari finished buttoning her shirt.

A knock sounded at the door. Daniella turned around and opened it to see Ignis. He glanced her up and down before calling out, “Are you decent this time, Mari?”

Mari suddenly blushed, “Yeah, I have a full shirt on.”

Daniella moved to the side, and Ignis entered the room, still watching her. “How are you feeling?”

Mari interrupted, “First, where’s the jerk?”

Ignis looked at her, “In my room. He needs to sleep it off.” He returned his gaze to Daniella, “Then he can eat. Eating when he’s that drunk won’t do us any good.”

Daniella nodded.

He raised his eyebrow and repeated, “How are you feeling?”

“Don’t play this off either, Nells. You just got burned by a drunk fire god. You could be seriously hurt.” Mari added, concern lacing her voice.

Ignis looked at her again. “Can you let her speak?”

Daniella put a hand on his chest, “I’m fine. My sides are a bit hot, and they’re sore when I move them. Otherwise, no worries. I’ll just take it easy for a few days.”

Ignis looked at her, before putting his hand under her shirt again, “I’m sorry this happened. Please, understand he cannot control his fire when he’s drunk.” He raised her shirt, observing the burn again, “Not an excuse, of course. All fire gods know we cannot control our fire when we are drunk, so he shouldn’t have ever even touched you drunk.”

Mari barked out a laugh, “He shouldn’t have ever even touched her period. She was just trying to help him, and he blamed her for whatever he was upset about.”

Ignis removed his hand, “I keep some burn cream in my bathroom. I’ll go grab it.” He looked between both of them, “Until he is sober and awake, you two are not allowed in my room.”

“Of course not.” Daniella replied.

“No one wants in your room, pervert.” Mari shot back.

Ignis nodded and left. A few moments later he returned with a tub of cream that he then handed to Mari, “Make sure the burns are thoroughly covered. It didn’t permeate much further than the skin, but I’d still like to make sure there’s enough medication on them to help her recover fully.”

Mari snorted, snatching the cream, “He’s lucky she’s not going to be horribly scarred. I expect a full apology from your brother.”

“You’ll get one.” Was all Ignis said before leaving the room.

…

Infero woke up to a loud knocking on the door. He groaned as he pulled himself out of his brother’s bed and room.

Opening the front door, he discovered the men had come to install Daniella’s bed. He let them in, pointed to the correct room, and sat down on the couch. Everything was spinning. Everything was too bright. He was starving. He suddenly wished he’d actually taken the food the human woman had offered him.

Then his heart stopped. Daniella. He’d burned her while drunk. She could be badly hurt. He jumped up, and immediately regretted that particular decision. Staggering back into his brother’s room, he reached for his phone.

The call rang for a while, but eventually went to voicemail. Panic rose. What if they were at the hospital and had no signal? What if something terrible happened?

His stomach lunged, and he ran for the bathroom. As all of the nothing he had on his stomach emptied itself into his brother’s toilet, he decided he was never getting drunk again. At least, not for a very long while.

The events of last night and this morning were a confusing blur. His aunt telling him fate wasn’t ready to give him his flame yet. Saying Ignis would have her until Infero could prove himself worthy. Drinking with Deaton. Touching and being touched by Deaton. Shoving him off of himself, and deciding he wanted to sleep with Mari. Remembering he could burn her. Going to the beach and soaking and hoping to cool off. Coming back here, defeated, looking for his brother. Daniella trying to calm him down. Mari hitting him and yelling at him. He continued to dry heave, angry and confused. When he could finally sit upright again, he called Ignis again.

No answer. He washed his mouth out and walked back to the main room. The note on his brother’s door explained that bed people would be coming and there was food for him in the fridge. No mention of when they’d be back or where they’d gone.

Infero grabbed the plate from the fridge. Probably the plate Daniella made him. Guilt gripped his chest, and he sent his brother a text message. While he was microwaving his food, he stared at the phone, hoping for a response soon. He continued staring at it while he ate and cleaned up.

The men installing the bed let him know they were done. He thanked them and let them out of the apartment. He sent his brother another text, hoping for a response to that one. Nothing. Again.

The panic continued to rise and fall throughout the day. His brother was never mad at him, no matter how badly he’d f****d up before. Now, he had pissed even him off to the point where he wouldn't answer his phone. He didn’t have Mari and Daniella’s phone numbers. He didn’t even know if they had phones. He resolved to get them phones if they didn’t have them.

As early evening fell, he began pacing. He couldn’t help it at this point, he needed to shut everything else out and just think for a moment. As he did though, he heard the door open.

He rushed the door, “Are you okay?”

But before he could see her, Mari had put herself between the two of them, “Stay the hell away from her!”

He backed away, hands up, “I will, I will. I’m sorry. I just need to know she’s okay.”

His brother’s voice was cold when he said, “You don’t need to know anything right now.” Ignis had his hand on Daniella’s shoulder.

“You know I didn’t mean to-.”

Ignis interrupted him, “Both of you go to your room. I need to talk to my brother.”

Mari grabbed Daniella and pulled her away.

The silence ticked by. Ignis was putting shopping bags down on the table, seemingly ignoring him.

“They’re okay, right?” Infero asked. When he was met with silence again, he got frustrated, “Just tell me they’re okay!”

Ignis looked at him, his golden eyes bright. His brother’s fire was blazing. Which meant Infero had really f****d up.

“You need to see someone about the alcohol.”

Infero stared blankly at him, “This? Now? For f**k’s sake, Ingis, I could have hurt that girl!”

“You did hurt Daniella. Or have you already forgotten that girl’s name?”

Infero scoffed, “You think I have enough of a problem that it’s affecting my memory?”

“I think I’m cutting you off.” He replied.

Infero shook his head, silent. Finally he asked, “The hell do you mean?”

Ignis started unpacking things into his fridge, “No more money from me unless you’re in therapy, and can prove you’re in therapy, for at least a month.”

Infero sighed, more confused now than when his brother wasn’t answering his calls, “What the hell is happening here?”

“You burned a woman who was trying to help you. Because you went on another binge. Enjoyed your time with Deaton I suppose?”

“It wasn’t all about Deato-.”

“No, its all about you. You need to know there were no consequences to your actions so that you can keep doing anything you want. You don’t actually care about hurting Daniella, you’re upset that Mari hit you. That someone finally called you on your shit.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt her!” His throat hurt.

“You knew the consequences of being around humans while you’re drinking, and you chose to come back here. You chose to hold her in place, even after she jumped away from her. If you can’t make sound decisions while drunk, then don’t drink. And you are not drinking in my home anymore.”

Infero had never heard his brother so mad. His aunt’s words rang through his head again. Disappointment.

“Okay, okay. I get it. No more drinking. I can do that.” He ran his hand through his hair, “Did she need hospital treatment? I’ll repay you for her visit.”

“She didn’t need treatment, just some burn cream.”

“Are you sure?” Infero asked, panic still in his chest.

“I actually care about the woman’s well being. If I thought for a second she should see a doctor, you’d have been left on the floor to rot rather than in a bed.”

Infero watched Ignis put up the rest of the groceries in silence. Some of the bags had clothes in them. Some had decorations.

Infero couldn't help but feel his heart in his throat again. His head was pounding, still. He sighed, angry that there was nothing he could say or do. Angry that maybe his aunt was right, and he didn’t deserve his flame.

“She’s here because she’s yours, isn’t she?” He asked, quietly.

Ignis looked at him, face blank, “My what?”

Infero shot him a look. He knew his brother wasn’t stupid. He could feel tears in his eyes as he said, “Mari is mine.”

Ignis drily responded, “So you went out drinking with your boyfriend to celebrate?”

The idea of having a matched flame at home waiting for him every night and instead going out drinking to pass the time was ridiculous to him. It’s one of the many reasons despite being Deaton’s flame as well neither of them ever agree to marriage. What would that even look like? Them going out partying every night was what they already did.

His brother started cooking something. Infero glanced over, “No take out tonight? Don’t you usually order out when you have work the next day?”

Ignis shrugged, “Dani seemed to like my cooking this morning. I’d like to treat her while I still can.”

“Oh? Planning on kicking the bucket before her now?”

“No, but arranged marriages certainly carry a pretty strict deadline.”

Infero’s stomach twisted again. He had to talk to his aunt. This wasn’t fair to his brother, and she knew it. He had no idea why she was even doing any of this.

…

Daniella listened to Mari sigh for the fourth time. Her friend was waiting for her to ask what was wrong, an arrangement they had made when they were young. Daniella was her guard, but she couldn’t hear every complaint Mari had all the time. There were days she’d come back exhausted from training, and Mari would keep her up talking about her day. Eventually, the issue was brought up, and when Mari wanted to rant or let loose about something and Daniella seemed tired, she would have to wait for Daniella to ask what was wrong. Dumping was only allowed in emergencies.

Daniella laid down on her new bed. There were no sheets or blankets on it yet, but she was exhausted from the tour of the neighborhood and the shopping. Not to mention this morning as well. Her sides were still warm to the touch, but she could stretch them now without any pain.

Mari was pacing around the room, picking up some of her old things and moving them elsewhere. She sighed again.

Daniella finally asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like when he’s around.” Mari started, “I think he’s a drunk creep.”

“He’s sobered up now. You don’t know that yesterday was typical behavior.”

“I’m pretty sure.” Mari tossed her head back, and sighed, “My magic acts all funny when he’s around. I don’t like it.”

“I think that’s just gods in general. My magic has felt hyperactive since meeting them.”

“You have to admit, it’s not so bad with Ignis.” She responded.

Daniella shrugged. Since meeting Tannoh, her magic had been flowing faster than usual. With Ignis, it seemed to be at even more erratic rates quickly changing from calm to annoyed to something else.

She almost sighed. She was attracted to her best friend’s fiance. It was going to be annoying trying to outgrow that. She shook her head and ignored the thought.

Being Mari’s guard had meant she was never allowed any relationships outside of that position, even now. When she was training with young people she would sometimes find them attractive, but after two or three training sessions, it went away. She got used to being around them, and she could get used to being around Ignis too.

“Earth to Nells!” Mari shouted.

“I guess he’s a bit less erratic than his brother. I can’t tell much of a difference though.”

Mari shook her head, “Infero’s-.”

“Right here, so please be nice.” He interrupted her, half a grin on his face.

Daniella bolted upright, instinctively moving towards Mari, but the other woman had already turned to face him, hands on her hips.

“Are you allowed in here? Because I don’t remember saying so.”

He nodded and walked backwards through the door. Mari’s mouth dropped open, and then a knock sounded. Infero called out, “May I come in?”

Mari shook herself, but Daniella answered, “Yes, come in.”

When nothing happened, Mari called out, “What are you doing?”

“Waiting for your say so, Princess.”

Mari looked at Daniella, anger and annoyance present on her face, before turning back to the door, “Come in, oh great god Infero.”

Infero walked through the door again, and then crossed his arms and leaned against it, “Ladies.”

“How’d you do that?” Mari began.

Infero wiggled his fingers, “Magic.”

“We both use our magic pretty regularly, and we can’t walk through walls.” Mari replied.

“Yeah,” he tilted his head towards her, “But I’m a god.”

Before Mari could respond, Daniella clasped her hand over her friend’s shoulder, “Is there something we can help you with?”

Infero looked her over, concern evident of his face, “You really alright to be standing?”

“I’m fine. Thanks.” She responded neutrally.

He looked her over once more before returning his gaze to Mari, “Ignis wanted me to make sure you were both ready for dinner. He’s nearly done with it.”

“He could have just called us.” Mari replied, still obviously angry.

Infero shrugged, “My brother’s too much of a bore to yell in an apartment. Something about being inconsiderate to his neighbors.”

Mari stepped back and blushed, “He has neighbors beneath him?”

Infero snorted, “What, you think he rents those too? No, Princess, you have neighbors now.”

Mari clenched her fists and Daniella rubbed her shoulder, “We’ll wash up and come out for dinner.”

“No need to disappoint us men by coming out. Or maybe do, but let us down easy.”

“Gay jokes aren’t funny, asshole.”

“Who says I’m joking? A gorgeous woman telling us she’s off the table? That’s disappointing. Suppose it’d be a glorious day for women though. I have a half sister who might be interested.” He winked at her.

“Get out, now.” Mari said.

He shrugged and walked backwards out of the door again.

“Who asked him?” Mari blew out a breath.

“Let's just go eat.” Daniella guided her forward.