Bonds are created through familiarity and time. They grow when they are nurtured and fade away when they are forgotten.

  But Bonds are also created through extremes and shared experience. They dig deep and take root long before you ever realize what happened.

  ~ * ~

  The rest of the ride was spent in near silence. Despite their best efforts neither of them managed to say more than a few words before lapsing into silence as their thoughts turned darker. They both seemed to realize that anything they wanted to actually say had to wait until they weren't in public.

  Getting out of the car Lisa thanked the driver then led Seb up to her door. As she went to let them in she paused, hesitating at the thought that she was letting someone she'd just met into her home. Pushing past the moment she stepped in and closed the door behind him before leaning heavily against the wall.

  "Bathroom is through the bedroom. Give me a moment to tidy up? I wasn't expecting visitors." She giggled despite the weight on her chest as she pushed off the wall to make sure it was at least partly tidied up. The whole afternoon felt surreal and now here she was, tucking clothing away into drawers and kicking things out of the way so it looked slightly less chaotic.

  Coming back to the main room she found Seb sitting on the couch staring blankly at his phone. At her approach he roused and put visible effort into focusing his thoughts.

  "Just how bad is it?" he asked as he stood up, pointing to his own side to make it clear what he was referring to. "We need to talk but we need to know how hurt you are, in and out of your Husk, so that we know what to tell them at Court tomorrow. And I'm betting you wouldn't mind changing into something more comfortable."

  Without thinking she clutched the hoodie, suddenly both aware that it wasn't hers and of how comfortable it actually was. "No, I-. Well yes, I should clean up a bit and check my Husks. But no, I like the hoodie, unless you want it back?" She was glad she'd pulled the hood up during the car ride, it made it easy to turn her head and hide how awkward she was feeling. "My ribs feel beat up but they aren't cracked. My arm is starting to really hurt though and I'm sure my cheek will look horrible by morning."

  "I'll go take a quick shower, it'll let me double-check my Husks." She turned back to her bedroom then paused, reaching out with her energy to establish a new mental band with him and feeling him accept. If you stay reasonably close, but not in the room, I should be able to let you know what shape I'm in without having to yell over the water. And be close enough I don't feel all alone with my thoughts she added to herself, careful not to send him that part.

  I'll wait out here until you tell me otherwise, he sent back with a nod, sitting back down and doing his best to get comfortable despite the tension she could see and feel from him.

  Arm and ribs are definitely hurt, she sent a few minutes later from inside the shower. I'm going to check my Husk now, as quickly as I can. Bracing herself against the wall she took a deep breath and assumed her Husk, dropping it almost instantly as she nearly fell over in pain, her mental voice tinged with a bit back scream. Bad, really, really bad.

  Princess? she heard back a moment later. You really need to tell me what to call you that isn't Lisa. Lysanya is a mouthful.

  For a moment she was confused, then a flash of memory of her nearly begging him not to call her by that name surfaced. I don't know, I- Something that sounds right for my name but isn't Lisa?

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  Let me think about it. There was a pause and she could almost feel him vocalizing over the band, working his way through her name to find something that fit. Anya?

  Anya… she let the name linger in her thoughts then smiled, sending back appreciation. I like it. It's me but it isn't her.

  How bad is the husk Anya? Seb lingered on the new name, emphasizing it just enough to make it clear he wanted to remember it.

  Arm is, I'm not sure what the term is but there are more bits and pieces than there are solid bone. Ribs are definitely broken, pretty sure at least one is poking where it shouldn't. Pausing she felt herself focusing on the memory of the Husk, trying to recall what she felt even as the memory itself became fuzzy. I'm not sure about my cheek, thinking about it is hard.

  You were definitely dazed, probably concussed. Even if nothing is broken. The feeling of his thoughts was clear and focused, treating her list of injuries like a shopping list. Yet the moment he continued concern leaked through. If it was your True Self… I think you'd be in the ICU and not the ER.

  Thinking about what she knew of injuries she had to agree. The fact that she'd managed to keep fighting as long as she had shocked her. No wonder the trip to his apartment was such a daze. Thank you. I would have stayed in the Husk if you hadn't gotten me to drop it. I don't think I would have ever made it out of the alley.

  The only feeling she got in response was awkwardness, as if Seb had no idea how to answer. I'll check my War Husk now. I should be fine as long as I'm fast and nothing makes me think I'm in a fight.

  Be careful.

  Taking another deep breath Anya assumed her War Husk. There was pain, but it wasn't anywhere near what her Everyday Husk was feeling. Cracked exoskeleton and ribs. He hit me in the same spot both times. She felt the cold thoughts starting to surface as she double-checked the rest of her War Husk. Nothing else that I can see or feel.

  Taking the moment to rinse in the shower she saw red pooling around her feet, dripping from her arm as the water flowed over her. Blood, she thought, blood from-. The memory of how the fight ended snapped into focus, her lunging to strike and the feel of skin against her forearm as-

  ~ * ~

  Upon hearing her confirm her War Husk had no other injuries Seb let himself relax slightly. Her Everyday Husk was in bad shape but the rest of her was fine. They could go to court tomorrow and-

  He was moving before he even registered what he was reacting to. Panic, horror, pain, more panic, more and more and more. By the time he heard her screaming he was inside her bedroom, barely hesitating at the bathroom door before barging in.

  Glancing around frantically he spotted her in the back corner of the shower, head between her knees and rocking, her screams quieter than the first moment but still gut-wrenching. Grabbing her towel from next to the shower he barely took the time to turn off the water before he was crouching next to her and doing his best to wrap her in it. Anya, you're ok "Anya, you're ok". Words and thoughts in sync as he managed to pull her into his arms and the two steps to the bathroom floor before sinking down, letting her cling to him while emotions slammed into him.

  I killed him, killed him, killed him. His head, his blood, he- The words were almost meaningless within the torrent of pain but he understood them. So cold, so easy. His blood and I killed-

  Stroking her hair he held her, rocking ever so slightly every time she shifted. There were no words to help, nothing he could say. He focused on thoughts of warmth, of safety. On her being safe, on him being thankful she kept him alive.

  Over and over it went, her emotions slowly coming back from precipice as she let them out. Over and over he sent back reassurance even as his own thoughts started to spiral. He showed her how to break the Husk, she might have been the one fighting but he pointed the way. He suggested the coffee shop. He didn't call a taxi right away so they could go somewhere, anywhere before Rios recovered.

  I killed him, I pointed to the weak spots, his own emotions slipping their leash and flooding back towards her. I showed you how to break- I- blood- dead- Gripping her tighter he slumped into her as much as their position allowed, tears and unfocused pain passing between them. Yet every cycle seemed to help, reassurance flowing both ways in response to pain even as their own pain flowed.

  They sat there, huddling together in conjoined breakdown and catharsis until there was nothing more, until they found solace in sleep as one.