Work Text:
The chains jingled on their uniforms softly from every movement Rolland and Monty did as they both slept.
It wasn't good if all of them were exhausted after what had happened today. Which is why Kevin decides to accompany Edgar this time for the night watch. He sees the poor guy clutching on Poe’s leg with sad eyes that still can't accept the sudden separation from his bird.
Kevin tries not to think of anything worse happening to the bird and Nurse Lenny. If a school staff, may it be while being completely exhausted, can be carried away that easily. What of the other Stewards? Even Hexmaster Singh was injured by…it. He doesn't want to dwell on the feeling of helplessness right now, since finally-FINALLY they have proof. That it is indeed real and always has been.
He looks to the side and sees Monty’s blanket that dropped to the floor, small whines coming out from him due to the sudden coldness. The ginger-haired boy just picks it up and tucks him back in it. He rubs his thumb up and down his uniform-covered bicep until the whining stops.
Kevin then walks to the only table in the room, sitting himself right across Edgar. He can hear the other boy mutter something under his breath. “What was that?”
“Stupid…stupid bird.” He says a tad louder. He sounds like he is about to cry.
“Edgar we’ll…we’ll get Poe back. I promise you that. Once morning comes, we’ll get Sarge and, and tell her about Nurse Lenny, and about the mimic–”
“It’s dangerous, that. Giving out promises that easy.”
“Wha-what do you mean Edgar?”
“Do you promise it…like how you promise you’d shoot Monty if he got out of control again?”
Kevin’s eyes widened from the statement. Not knowing why this is being brought up now.
“If this is about you somehow being angry on me not shooting him as well–”
“It’s not just ABOUT that. It’s that you care. You CARE so much, about Monty not seeing himself as a monster or for Rolland talking to whatever it is he hears in his head. You “care”, but you’d rather not tell us Monty turns into a wolf after ten business days or that maybe you would rather him maul us to death than to use the arrow at him.”
Kevin raises his hands gesturing to Edgar to not let his outburst wake the others.
“Edgar, I know you're upset about Poe. But this does not mean that just because you have managed to actually shoot Monty on his leg, that this is the right time to be trying to convince me that I should’ve shot him as well!” He angrily whispered back at him.
“That's your thing Kevin Creeley. It’s that you CARE, but you can't stop having your favorites! Would you have given me a chance if I had it worse? Would you have thought about me too during his first transformation? Someone who was going to share a room with him!”
Edgar’s eyes pierced right through Kevin. He always thought that he was equally friends with all of them. He watches the taller boy finally let out a heavy sigh out as he takes his glasses off. Wiping his face from the tears that finally fell.
Was he really being unfair? Was he becoming like his parents who never thought about the other people in their lives? That’s scary. That's downright terrifying.
He slowly reaches out to the crying Edgar. Not fully touching him until he wants to. Edgar wasn't heavy at all. His heart was.
“What about me? Have you ever thought about me, first?” He cried at Kevin’s chest.
Kevin just clutches him close and strokes his hair. Trying to gently shush his sobs as he apologizes at him. He feels Edgar hugging him back well, just as tight. The sobs lessen until all they can hear is the echoing of “sorry’s” that Kevin lets out every now and then.
“You-you don’t have to say sorry.” Edgar sniffled at him.
“Still! I…I didn't know that's how I made you feel.”
“I didn't…WANT you to feel bad for not being able to shoot him. I know he's important–”
“You are as well! Of course you are important, Edgar. You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever befriended. And believe me, I only ever have a few of those.” Kevin laughs self-deprecatingly.
Edgar just hums back to acknowledge it. Not knowing what to say after that.
“Sometimes I wish I could be more like you, you know? More…smart. Even with high tensed situations. Someone who can set aside things and make important decisions that would benefit everyone. Monty is still alright even after the shot but I really don't think I can get used to this being our ONLY solution.”
“Kevin…I don't want you to be like me. I’m, I barely have everything fully sorted myself. I mean, before coming here I thought maybe I can somehow change Poe to be a raven. But now I just want my crow to come back just so I know he's safe. You’re smarter in ways that I still need learning on.” Edgar reaches for the glasses he dropped on the table to look at Kevin more clearly. “I don't think caring comes to me naturally, or saying things that people need to hear.”
“You’re plenty caring Edgar. You just show it differently. I also never realized I was making you feel any less important to me than the others. I apologize for that. I NEVER wanted anyone to feel that way from me. Look, I…I have the final silver arrow. And whatever happens, whatever my decision is when it comes to it. I promise to ensure that NONE of you will get hurt.” Kevin takes hold of Edgar’s shoulders and tells it to him determinedly.
“You can’t-you can't promise that!”
“Oh, but I did. And I will.”
“But that could mean–”
“It could mean anything. But right now, we have it all under control. So we think about that for now. We’ll get out of here, take down the mimic, save Poe and Nurse Lenny, and then we'll be back in our normal dorms like how it used to be. Like how it SHOULD be.” Kevin helps Edgar to get up from the floor and drags him to his own bed. Making him lay down on it and taking his glasses once again to lay it near his pillow.
“This too…shall pass.” Edgar yawns out.
“It will. You go rest. Only a few more hours now. Crying takes a lot if you aren't used to it.” Kevin tucks him in as well as he sees Edgar’s eyes slowly closing.
“I’ve definitely-yawns-cried before, I can tell you that. Please wake me up if Poe ever comes back early?”
“Can do.” Edgar can't help but laugh a little when he hears ‘You’ve got a friend in me.’ playing lightly all of a sudden from Kevin. The taller boy finally fully shuts his eyes and goes to a short slumber.
“See you later, Edgar.”
---
The night continues on for the four boys who are hoping this is the final day they would have in this jail-like dorm room with barely any space. Monty slowly opens his eyes and looks at Kevin’s back, as the musical boy stands beside Edgar's bed.
“It could mean anything.” Continues to ring in his head.