Chapter Text
Air surged in his lungs.
Everything was excruciating and painful. He struggled to inhale but a violent coughing fit cut him off. The simple act of inhaling felt like choking on smoke. He could taste his own blood. Didn’t know where the blood came from. He felt everything and nothing at the same time. Pain too extreme to make sense of it.
Putain, was he dying?
“...stave”
A voice. So small he almost missed it through the pain screeching from his body. He tried to look, but everything was washed out by this blinding light. With what little strength he mustered, he focused on finding that voice . Instinct was pushing him to find that familiar comforting voice. Anything to remain sane…
“Gustave”
It felt closer now. More grounding. The pain was still acute and yet he felt his hands grasping the cold dirt, his knees scraping on the floor , his ragged breath escaping his throat , his ears ringing so loudly…. Everything was spinning , blurry vision swimming in color. A growl of pain escaped him .
“Gustave”
Maelle.
Instinct overcame him. He needed to find his little sister, now. His vision eased back into focus, the harsh brightness dulling as shapes grew clearer. Gustave tried to pull in a breath, but the smoke-laden air made him cough all over again. His head was pounding so loudly.
“GUSTAVE!”
Something grabbed his shoulders. He instantly recognized Maelle’s orangeblossom scent. She wrapped her arms around him, embracing him tightly. The sheer relief that washed over him completely submerged the agony his body was still emitting. Gustave lifted his head, finding teary eyes staring right at him.
“Maelle..” Gustave croaked , his throat still not fully cooperating.
Pure relief washed over Maelle's face, quickly followed by a flow of tears.
“Gustave… please… don’t scare me like that ever again." Her sobs shook her so deeply that her breath kept catching, breaking the sound into trembling hiccups. “I thought… merde… I thought I lost you.”
Gustave wrapped his mechanical arm around Maelle, pulling her closer to him. Her whole body was shaking in sync with her sobs. She seems even smaller now inside his arms.
He rested his good hand on top of her hair ,patting it slowly.
“I’m here, Maelle. You’re okay,” he whispered, rubbing his cheek against hers.
The familiar gesture made Maelle relax as she returned it. Gradually, the pain released its hold on him, letting him acknowledge his surroundings .
Before even lifting his gaze, he felt off. He could feel a slight discomfort, almost familiar. He knew that reaction but it was also foreign. Then the scent hit him full force. Pressure went through his skull, incapacitating him like smoke stealing the last of his breath. Everything felt eerily familiar.Logic was telling him to flee. Impulse was urging him to fight. Gustave forced his eyes upward.
Cold piercing blue eyes stared right through him.
Alpha.
A deep snarl rolled out of him.
“Verso can you step away for a bit? He seems disoriented.” Sciel's voice urged from his right.
“That’s putting it lightly,” the alpha scoffed.
“Move now, sarcasm later, pretty boy.”
He lifted his hands in surrender and stepped away. He had the decency to put enough space between them so his scent wouldn’t irk him . Even with that distance, he could tell how powerful this Alpha was. If the dominating aura he radiated was not clear enough, the way he held himself said the rest—controlled, grounded, unmistakably a seasoned fighter. Gustave couldn't shake that feeling of deja-vu…
“How are you feeling Gustave?” Sciel crouched in front of him, blocking his view from the other Alpha. She was keeping her voice neutral but Gustave could see the glint of worry in her eyes.
“Been worse,” he managed to say.
“You don’t say,” a chuckle escaping her. “ Lune went to get some healing tin, she should be back soon. Mind letting Maelle breathe a little ?”
Gustave didn't notice that his grip on Maelle instinctively increased when he noticed the other Alpha. His instinct to protect his omega sister just completely overtook him.
“Merde-” He released her immediately. “ Sorry—I didn’t mean to - “
“It’s okay, I’m okay.” Maelle chuckled, a bit out of breath. She scooted a bit out of his embrace but kept her hand wrapped around his wrist. “You kinda just came back to life so I won’t hold it against you, old men.”She said with a grin.
The world tilted.
“Came back to life?” He repeated the words slowly, not understanding them.
The meaning sank heavier and heavier. Panic grasping his throat, robbing him of the breath he just got back . “Maelle, what do you mea-”
The words died in his throat as vivid instances of memories bombarded his mind. Images and sounds disconnected from one another. Screams of pain echoing in his drowning mind. Blood… so much blood ...Nothing made sense. He couldn't even distinguish what were memories and nightmares.
“Merde, Gustave. You need to calm down, you're projecting your emotions.“ Sciel tried to warn him, voice slightly shaking.
His fear was seeping through his pheromone, affecting anyone in close vicinity. Gustave knew he had to keep his emotions in check but he couldn't…He wasn't supposed to be here, he wasn't supposed to be alive. He died on that cliff. His mechanical hand grasped desperately at his chest, fingers clutching erratically through the fabric. He can still feel the memory of the agony clutching his insides. It shouldn't be possible… It wasn't possible!
Through the drowning of his own thoughts, he could make a noise nearby. Something dragging on the floor. An exchange of voices. Nothing he could actually understand.
Without warning, harsh fingers grabbed his jaw and jerked his chin up, cold steel eyes piercing right through him. The sudden contact sent a freezing shiver through his body , snapping him back into his own body. The alpha was towering over him, seemingly speaking. His lips were moving but all he could hear was an incessant buzzing. Panic still swarmed his senses, but Gustave dragged his focus back enough to catch the words.
“-wasn't a good idea. Can’t even control his pheromones…” he muttered.
Gustave snarled at the comment. He barely regained a semblance of lucidity and he was already getting belittled. He just couldn’t catch a break , could he?
Surprise flashed in the other alpha's eyes. His cold stare turned inquisitive, searching for something in his eyes instead of staring right through him. The close attention grated on him, his instinct bristling in protest at being looked down on by another of his kind.
Verso head tilted. “You can still hear around you,”he said with a genuine surprise in his tone.
A pause.
“I suggest you get your pheromone in control … I would rather avoid making you pass out when you just got repainted.” His tone was neutral but Gustave could tell that he was given a way out. And he needed to grab it—fast.
His mind was still drowning in half memory and phantom pain, but he needed to get a grip. So he grabbed the only thing that he knew was real right now—his instinct. He focused on the other alpha: the feeling of his hand on him, the sound of his deep breath, his scent—anything to get his instinct thrashing. It didn't take long for a simmering anger to take hold, pushing panic into a corner of his mind. Good. He could work with anger.
He forced his pheromones under control, willing every ounce of himself into restraint. The world came back into focus, his mind now quieter. Seconds passed before the other man nodded slightly and released his hold on him.
“You sure know how to make an entrance,” The shadow of a grin was lingering on the corner of his mouth.“Let's refrain from making the whole camp incapacitated next time?” He smirked, backing away to give him some space.
The fact that the other Alpha didn't seem affected by his dynamic was irking him, but that was soon forgotten as a throbbing pain pulsed from his wrist. Maelle was slowly coming to her senses but her hold was unyielding—her knuckles white as her hair. Gustave wanted nothing more to hold her and reassure her, but he was still unstable himself.
“Hey, I got the healing tint.” Lune says as she comes into view. Her gaze fell on the three of them. “Seems like I missed something?”
Gustave laughed weakly. “Other than broadcasting my panic to every living being here, nothing much.” He tangled his free hand in his hair, pulling just enough to sting. Anything to keep his train of thought away from—that .
Lune brought a hand to her hip. “Happy to have missed that.” Lune gaze switched to Maelle. “Did you fill him in?”
That seemed to snap her back in the present as she released Gustave's wrist. Maelle's gaze dropped, avoiding Lune’s. “... not yet, I didn't have the time.”
“Time is not a luxury we can afford.” She said sharply.
“He just got back...” Maelle pleaded.
“So did we! But we were immediately brought up to speed!”
“You were gommaged.”
Everyone’s attention snapped toward Verso as he cut in. “This one-” he nodded in the man’s direction, “died.”
Lune mouth made a thin line. “Your point?”.
“Gommaging is peaceful—painless, even. It’s nothing compared to being killed in action,” Verso stared directly at Lune, cold fury in his eyes. “And don’t get me started on coming back to life from that.”
A tense silence hung in the air as they glared at each other.
Lune let out a sigh. “Fine. But tomorrow ...” her gaze slides to Gustave.
“Tomorrow comes.” He answered with a quick glance towards her. An understanding passes between them as Lune handed him the healing tint and left for the camp fire. Even for a beta like Lune, Verso’s underlying threat had been obvious even if he had kept his pheromone under wraps.
Gustave chugged the healing tint, grimacing and half choking on the terrible taste. Thankfully, he could already feel it working its way into his tired body. Feeling a bit more grounded, he risked a peek at the other Alpha.
“Verso, was it?” Verso’s attention went back to him at the mention of his name. “Thank you for stepping in.”
An emotion passed by, too quick to pin point. “Don’t mention it. From a dead man to another , that’s the least I could do.”
Deadman to another? What kind of expression was that?
“Verso! You are confusing him.” Maelle complained
“Ah right , sorry.” He chuckled lightly at Maelle’s pouting face. “I’ll let you get some rest. I have to check on Monoco and Sciel. Also got to let them know our friend here is back on his feet.”
“Thanks old man.” Maelle flashed a grin and waved him away.
Verso scoffed playfully at the gesture and took his leave. Gustave waited until Verso was out of earshot for a semblance of privacy before turning his attention to Maelle.
“So…” he cocked his head to the side , a grin slowly making his way on his lips “Does that mean my title as old man has been revoked? ”
“You wish, old man.” She laughed heartfully, poking the last words in his chest. “I hope you like sharing because that title is now for the both of you.”
Gustave dramatically pressed a hand to his heart, an exaggerated look of disbelief on his face. “ Me? Sharing? And with another Alpha on top of that? My little sister is truly heartless.”
She rolled her eyes at Gustave’s teasing, which he quickly followed by ruffling her hair. He’d noticed her stark white hair before, but now his gaze lingered on it, taking it in fully.
“By the way, how did you even find a hairdresser on the Continent? I’m pretty sure getting a new look wasn’t exactly on your list of things to do on the Continent.”
“Well, for your information, there is a very famous one in the Gestral village. He even does Verso’s hair on some occasions.”
Gustave remembers the Alpha’s unruly raven-black hair, broken by a few stark white strands that slip across his face. “Didn’t know that Verso’s idea of flair was a white fringe."
“I said famous, not talented. Apparently, this is one of his best attempts.” She snorted.
He couldn't help but smile softly at seeing her so full of life. “ I’m glad you’re safe…” he said quietly.
Maelle scooted closer so she could rub her cheek on Gustave’s. He chuckled at the gesture. “And here I thought you would avoid my scent after what happened.”
“Meh, not the first time you do that. ”
Gustave winced at the comment. “Touché.”
“Besides, I missed you too much to let that stop me.” Her voice wavered slightly.
“Maelle…”
Tears were forming at the corner of her eyes, her smile faintly trembling. “Please don’t leave me ever again…” Her voice cracked at the exact moment she fell apart, her small frame shaking violently with her sobs. She was clutching to him like a lifeline, crumbling in his arms. Even as he cradled her, stroked her back, whispered reassuring words—her tears showed no sign of ceasing. He held her for what felt like hours until she fell completely exhausted in his arms, her body finally surrendering to sleep. When Gustave was positive he wouldn't wake her, he slowly and carefully gathered her against his chest, making way to the camp fire.
Knowing it was well past midnight, Gustave was surprised to see two people by the fire instead of just one. A quick sniff informed him that Verso was one of them. From the lack of scent from the second individual, it was either Lune or Sciel.
Verso shot a quick glance behind his shoulder. Seems like he also got his scent…
The second figure turned around and waved at him with much enthusiasm. No one other than Sciel could be that enthusiastic this late. A grin was plastered on her face as she watched Gustave approach the fire. “Well if it isn't our favorite engineer. You sure know how to make a strong impression.”
“Very funny, Sciel. Where is her bedroll?” He asked unimpressed as he nodded to the sleeping form in his arm.
She pointed to a small bedroll next to Lune’s. “Right there.” She took a hard look at his face. “You look like shit.”
“Gee, thanks.”
He carefully laid Maelle on the bedroll, bundled her up and quietly came back toward the fire.
“So no rest then?” Sciel asked, one eyebrow raised.
If Gustave could see the underlining of worry in her eye, he didn't comment on it. “I’ll pass. So, what’s with the two-person night watch?”
“Ah, it’s only because this one-” She pointed at Verso. “-is on probation”. Verso scoffed slightly at her words.
“Probation? Since when do we do that?” Gustave asked, perplexed.
“Since someone pissed off almost everyone.” Sciel said with a mischievous grin.
“Quite a feat…color me intrigued.” Gustave said, turning his attention to the other Alpha.
“Unless you want your brain to fry from the sheer volume of information I would have to drop on you, I suggest waiting tomorrow.” Verso said, holding Gustave’s gaze with a shadow of a grin on his lips.
It almost felt like a dare and Gustave was now absolutely curious but…. waiting did seem like the wisest option considering his precarious mental state. “Point taken.”
Sciel patted the space next to her on the log.” Come sit. My legs are tired just looking at you.”
“That would be old age, Sciel.”
Verso snored and immediately turned away when Sciel gave him a look. Gustave couldn't help but feel at ease watching them interact, like fellow expeditioners do. The engineer still had some reservations about the other Alpha, but he could tell that Verso was trying to be accommodating. Even now, Verso was suppressing his scent, making it comfortable for them to be near each other. A feat that even Gustave couldn't achieve...
Sciel patted the log more loudly, dragging Gustave out of his thoughts. Gustave sighted dramatically as he sat next to her. “What I wouldn't do for your old joints...”
“Funny.” Her eyes softened as she leaned on him. “ How are you feeling ?”
Unknowingly, his body tensed up. He started to fidget with his hands.
“Honestly?” He let out a shaky exhale. “On the verge of a nervous breakdown. I died on that cliff… but here I am—breathing. And… and my body remembers it—dying, I mean. There should be a hole right there. I feel it. It’s haunting me. And I know it won’t go away… losing my arm taught me that lesson. I-I can’t even imagine going to sleep. Putain, Sciel—I'm fucking terrified of never waking up… of all of this being temporary, of being dragged back to what I’m supposed to be.”
He swallowed. “Dead.”
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the fire’s soft pops. Sciel slowly leaned her head on his shoulder, letting his words sink in. “I’m scared too,” she whispered. “But I know that won’t help. I need to focus on keeping all of us safe. I don’t have advice for your… specific trauma, but you can always ask our local immortal here for some tips on revival aftercare.”
“Immortal?” Gustave’s curiosity peeked out from under all that anxiety.
The Alpha seemed to want to be anywhere but here at that moment.
“It’s… complicated but yeah. Don’t expect some tips though, they are hardly healthy.”
“Not even one?” Sciel poked his ribs. “Come on! With all your years of experience, I would have thought you to be the wisest!”
“Yep, Verso the Wise.” he teased as he dodged her incessant poking. “You know what? I might have one… but don't you dare make fun of it.”
“That sounds promising,” Gustave mentioned, trying to restrain his laughter.
“Gustave, you would dare insult the wisest man on the Continent?!” She exclaimed with dramatic disbelief.
“You know what, suit yourselves.” Verso deadpanned.
Gustave lightly slapped Sciel for her obvious teasing. “We were kidding. Please, do tell.”
He let some seconds pass but finally dragged his gaze to Esquie. “Esquie helped me sleep whenever I had more uhm - troubled nights. He puts my mind at ease.” His eyes grew soft looking at the giant marshmallow sitting at the border of the camp.
“Absolutely not related to the fact that Esquie was your personal stash of wine “Sciel teased.
Verso grinned. “One doesn't cancel the other. But yeah, wine also helps—If that's what you are implying. Too bad someone decided to empty it out.”
“It was for a good cause.”
“Yeah, tell that to the poor sommeliers rolling in their grave from seeing all of you chugging vintage wine like it’s piss beer.”
“When this is all over, I’ll buy you some wine. To compensate for your loss.”
“I am starting to think the word ‘vintage’ is lost on you.”
“So stingy …”
Gustave chuckled at their exchange, getting attention from both parties. "For someone on the 'Most Hated' list, you two sure know how to get along."
Sciel shrugged her shoulders. “I was angry with him, but I got over it. Also, I now understand his point, seeing as we almost lost you back there.”
Gustave stilled at those words. “What do you mean?”
Verso grunted and buried his face in one hand, letting out a frustrated sigh. “ Sciel… ”
Sciel winced. “We can talk about it tomorrow?”
His list of questions was just getting longer at this point, nagging him even. The small chat and warm company around the fire had helped ease out some of the worries that previously paralyzed him. His curiosity was now taking the reign, demanding answers.
“Please tell me.”
Sciel looked at Verso, who, by the looks of it, was telling her she was on her own. She took a long deep breath, seemingly preparing herself.
“When you were brought back…your chroma was old. Verso mentioned that we should wait since we didn't know what repainting with old limited chroma would do. But Maelle desperately wanted you back—and so did we. That’s why we ignored Verso's warning. And when you came back… your chroma was incredibly unstable and messy. It was like you were fading in and out of existence. You made it through but… you almost didn’t.”
She paused, keeping her tone in check. “I am really happy to have you back, but I can’t shake off the thought that rushing almost cost us to lose you again.”
Gustave let the information sink in as Sciel's gaze fell on the floor. He could see that she was desperately trying to keep her emotion in check, avoiding eye contact. Sciel already lost many, so this must have hit a bit too close to home.
“Would you like a hug?”said a deep voice behind them.
“Putain!” Gustave jumped out of his skin, scrambling to put some distance as he quickly turned around. Sciel was not fairing better as she pulled out her scythe by reflex. They both relaxed as soon as they recognized Esquie. Verso didn't react but his amusement was pretty obvious.
“Is GusGus mad?” Esquie asked, tilting his face in a questionable fashion.
“No, it- it’s nothing like that.”
“Is GusGus sad?” He asked, now tilting his head to the other side.
Gustave glanced up, eyes softening at the sight of the soft giant. Fuck did he missed Esquie.
“Yeah, you can say that,” he said quietly.
Esquie hummed, taking his time to formulate his next sentence. “Because you are same same but different?”
This time, it’s Gustave’s head that tilts to the side, perplexed. “Same same but different?”
“Yes! Like Verso but different. Not like cousins.”
Gustave was completely lost at whatever Esquie was telling him. He sneaked a glance at Verso, hoping the immortal had any idea what Esquie was going about. But Verso was staring absently at the fire, clearly not listening. Guess he was on his own…
“I don’t really understand what you mean Esquie, but maybe I’m just too tired to play charade right now. Sorry... ”
“Ahhhh no need to be sorry, mon ami. Esquie can never be mad.”
Gustave chuckled softly. He really did miss the giant marshmallow. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Sciel slowly getting up and stretching her legs. Verso also noticed the motion, and turned his attention to Esquie.
“Esquie, could you help Gustave get some rest? Just like we did back then?”
“Ohhhh ouiiii! I don’t have wine anymore but I’ll be the fluffiest pillow, Gusgus! I promise!”
“Oh its really not necessary-”
“I insist,” Verso interjected calmly. “Sciel’s guard shift is almost up and Lune’s next. The atmosphere will be less than cheery, if you catch my drift.”
“But-”
“Gustave.” Verso eyes pierced through him, a silent command hanging between them.
His instinct lashed out at the mere thought of being ordered around by an Alpha, forcing him to hold Verso’s stare—annoyance fully on display. Sciel must have sensed the tension as she gently but sternly nudged him to follow Esquie. As quickly as frustration came, it left—leaving his body utterly, physically exhausted. Disregarding Gustave’s protests, the giant marshmallow scooped him up gently and softly buried him in his chest. It felt like being wrapped in a warm fuzzy blanket. Incredibly warm… Gustave's body slagged almost immediately, leaving zero resistance in his body. His consciousness was slowly slipping away. And, although his fears were still roaming in the corner of his mind, for the first time since waking… he finally felt safe.