i'll be catching fire

Michael smiled carefully, nodding slowly, grateful for everything she'd done for him. "Thank you, Pea," he told her quietly, ducking his head a bit, his heart racing when she'd rubbed his arm - and it wasn't from the fear he normally felt when people touched him. He chewed on his lip, though, to try to avoid making Pea suspicious of his thoughts. He nodded, though, when she talked about eating, and he offered a small smile. "Okay. I'm sure the food will be amazing, regardless of what I choose to eat." And, feeling Pea take his hand, the way her thumb moved across his knuckles, he swore he'd never felt more comforted in his life. "I guess..." His eyes scanned the food before he grabbed a chicken sandwich, his mouth almost watering at the sight. "This."

Liz offered a weak smile with his question. "I don't know," she said honestly, quietly, and she shrugged gently, "I guess it's one of life's many mysteries." When she'd gone to leave and heard Luke, her heart ached, because she knew nobody should have to thank somebody for human courtesy. Her fingers curled around the door frame but she offered a smile, looking over her shoulder so he could see it. "You don't have to thank me." Nodding slowly, she watched him. "Take your time." Walking out, she closed the door gently behind her to give him privacy.

Peaches smiled as Michael thanked her. "Stop thanking me, dumbo." She teased gently, but she watched him carefully as he studied the food, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, wanting to maintain the contact between them, because she felt as though Michael gave her a purpose, a reason to stay in this god forsaken house. Seeing his selection though, Peaches smiled. "Those sandwiches are great." She told him, moving from him to sit on the edge of her bed. "Come on," she smiled, tapping the spot next to her. "You need to sit down, relax." She shifted further onto the bed, sitting cross-legged once more. Hearing a scratch on her bedroom door, though, Peaches smiled. "Moira!" She called. "Let Benji in, please." And with that, the door opened enough for a Rottweiler to make it's way into the bedroom, wagging his tail furiously at Michael.

Luke listened to Liz's words and nodded. It was a mystery, how she was so kind, so beautiful, so amazingly incredible, where her father was a cruel tyrant with no sympathy. But hearing Liz say that he didn't need to thank her, Luke watched as she left, wanting to thank her once more, wanting her to know he was grateful for the kindness she was showing. Still, Luke slowly got dressed, slipping on the clean jeans and the robe, flinching every so often as he stretched out his back, pulling the wounds. Whimpering slightly, Luke took a moment to stay still before he exited the bathroom, his gaze instantly looking for Liz. "I'm uh," he cleared his throat. "Done." He spoke, shifting on his feet, not wanting to make any movements that would get him into trouble.

Michael blinked with her words but he shook his head slightly. "I'm sorry," he told her quietly, "I'll try to stop thanking you. I just can't help it. I haven't really met anybody as kind as you before." He ducked his head slightly, not wanting to upset Peaches with all of his gratitude, and he cleared his throat. "I'll try to do better." Nodding slightly, he settled his gaze on his sandwich, eager to eat, but he noticed Peaches tapping the spot on the bed next to her and he stared for a moment, unsure, not wanting to intrude or disrupt her, but he moved over to sit down quietly. His back ached with the movement, but he did his best not to show it, not wanting to trouble Peaches any more than he already had. "The food smells amazing." And, he wasn't sure he could stop himself from fully digging in, but he lifted his sandwich to start eating, trying his best to be quiet about it, not wanting to anger or upset Peaches. He blinked, though, peering over when a dog was let in, and he was uncertain, nervous, causing him to pull his legs up onto the bed, because dogs weren't usually the best experience for him; most people used dogs to keep the slaves in line.

Liz chewed on her lip anxiously, worried about Luke, wanting to make sure he was okay, though she exhaled a breath of relief when he came back out and she grinned slightly as she watched him. "That robe brings out your eyes," she told him gently before she shifted, moving over to take his hands, gently tugging him to the bed before she turned them and pushed his shoulders gently to have him sit. Quickly turning back to the bathroom, she grabbed the food and cup, getting a cart that was often left in her room and, after setting the food and cup gently on it, she gently pushed it to where Luke was, parking the cart in front of him. "There, now you can eat comfortably." Offering a smile, she retreated back to the bathroom to gather Luke's clothes before she took them to the door and opened it, shoving the clothes into Richard's hands. "Clean these and have somebody buy him new clothes." And, without waiting for Richard's response, she closed the door and looked to Luke. "How are you feeling?"

Peaches heard Michael's words, feeling her heart break. "I like being kind," she told him softly, not wanting to be associated with her Father in anyway. "Just know that you're valued, Michael. You're already doing your best." She smiled as he sat next to her, though, moving closer to him, wanting to be around him, not understand the pull she felt towards him, ignoring her urge to touch him, hold him. Pulling her blanket over him, Peaches smiled. "There, keep warm." Still Peaches smiled, leaning to stroke Benji. "Hi, big boy!" She smiled, offering him some of her burger. Seeing Michael's hesitation, she smiled. "Don't worry, he won't hurt you." She promised. "He was meant to be a guard dog at the entrance but he loved everyone, my Dad gave him to me." She laughed, watching as Benji approached Michael, resting his head in his lap and licking his arms happily.

Luke blinked in surprise when Liz complimented him. "Oh, uh, thank you." He offered her a small smile, but when she tugged him along, Luke relished in the feeling of her hands in his, squeezing her hands gently, wanting her comfort more than anything. Feeling her mattress underneath him, Luke winced slightly but sunk further into the comfortable mattress. "Thank you." He spoke, ducking his head slightly, his hair falling in his face. "Are you sitting down too?" He asked, eager to feel her beside him. "Are you gonna eat?" He asked, not wanting to do anything without her, and although he knew he was becoming dependent, he still wanted her around him, just appreciating the smell of her perfume; her gentle touch, the way her whole presence comforted him more than anything, waiting for her permission to eat.

Michael felt his heart swell at her words, his eyes almost watering, because he'd never heard anything like that before. He'd never been valued before; he'd never been praised before. Ducking his head to hide the tears, he waited until he calmed down before he offered a weak smile. "It means a lot, coming from you," he told her gently, so very grateful that this woman was in his life. While they weren't in the best of circumstances, Peaches's presence made everything else bearable, and he was so very grateful for it. Feeling the blanket over him, he breathed out comfortably and offered a grateful smile. "Your blanket is warm." And, while she talked about her dog, he watched the dog - Benji - quietly and he felt his heart ease with the affection the dog was giving him, causing him to reach out to pet the dog gently. "I've never met a dog before. All the dogs I've ever seen were trained to be attack dogs."

"You say 'thank you' a lot, even when I haven't earned it," Liz teased gently as she watched him, though she smiled slightly and moved away from the door back over to him. Seeing him duck his head, she reached to run her fingers through his hair gently before she moved, cupping his face gently to lift his face, locking her eyes on his. "You don't have to duck your head with me. You don't have to avoid meeting my gaze or looking at anything, ever. At least not in this room. Outside, my father might lash out, but, in here, you're safe." She nodded, though, dropping her gaze as she sat down. "Sure, why not?" Offering a smile, she sat beside him. "Okay, what do you want to eat first?"

Peaches noticed Michael's silence, hoping she hadn't upset him, but when he eventually did speak, Peaches offered him a gentle smile, resting her head on his shoulder, being careful not to hurt him. "I promise I'll protect you." She told him quietly. "It's my fault you're here, I'm not going to let you get hurt." She told him, before sitting up once more. But when he relaxed under her blanket, she smiled. "You look comfortable." She told him, leaning to tuck him in slightly, smiling at Benji's behaviour. "He's a dork." She told Michael with a fond smile, scratching Benji's ear. "I'd never let him be aggressive, especially not to you." She told him honestly. "He's a big bear, he protects on command, he could help me protect you."

Luke stumbled over his words when Liz mentioned how often he thanked her, his cheeks heating up. "Sorry, I just... you're so nice." He told her, relaxing as he felt her fingers run through his hair, exhaling with the sensation, tears forming in his eyes when she cupped his face. Still, his eyes met Liz's, and he offered her a smile that wasn't quite genuine, but he wanted to comfort her, not wanting to worry her in any way. "Okay." He murmured quietly, trying to avoid letting himself duck his head once more. He nodded though, believing that with Liz, he really was safe, and he wanted to protect her in turn, knowing that things probably weren't that fantastic between herself and her father. "Uh, what do you suggest?" He asked, not knowing where to begin.

Michael was surprised when Peaches leaned against him, his heart swelling and racing with the contact, and he watched her for a few moments. "But what if you get hurt in the process of trying to protect me?" he asked her gently, his heart aching at the thought, because he didn't think he could bear it. She was such a genuinely kind, good person; she didn't deserve to be harmed in any way. Still, he smiled slightly and nodded. "I am comfortable." And, shifting, he grabbed something from the tray, breaking it apart to feed Benji a bit while he continued to eat his own sandwich. "I like him."

Liz's expression softened as she listened to his words and she gently brushed his hair out of his face. "You're nice, too," she pointed out gently in return as she offered a small smile, "Even despite everything you've been through. It's a wonder and it's amazing." Shifting, she let her hand fall, nodding slowly as she watched him. "I'm gonna find some way to get you out of all of this if it's the last thing I do, I promise." Turning her gaze to the food, she hummed in thought. "Well, the pasta is great, I promise." She grinned.

Peaches heard Michael's words, and although she knew getting hurt was a possibility, she didn't want to worry him. "I won't." She promised quietly, offering him a smile as she climbed to rest beside him, pulling the blanket over herself, smiling as Benji climbed onto the bed, laying at their feet, eating what Michael fed him. "You deserve to be comfortable." She told him, but she frowned with a thought. "When you lay down, make sure you lay on your side." She told him gently, but she smiled when Michael said he liked Benji. "He likes you too." She smiled over at him.

Luke listened to Liz's words, smiling weakly when she called him nice. "Thank you." He cringed though, realising he said thank you again, but he focused on the sound of her voice, her words, and he frowned with the thought of leaving her. "I don't mind being here." He told Liz, although it was only half the truth. "I wouldn't want to leave you behind here." He told her honestly, preparing himself for a slap, or something worst. "Just... don't let them kill me." He winced with that, exhaling. But hearing Liz's words about the pasta, Luke's stomach rumbled painfully, and he grabbed a bowl, filling it with pasta. "Okay..."

Michael watched her with concern, not quite believing it, and he chewed on his lip for a moment. "I don't want you to get hurt," he whispered, ducking his head slightly, "Not for me, not for anybody." He wasn't sure how she would take his words, but he meant every single one. Will how kind and genuine Peaches was, he didn't want her to do all the protecting - he wanted to be able to protect her, too. He wanted her to be safe. And the thought that she could be put in harm's way by trying to protect him made his heart ache but he cleared his throat. "Thank you." He blinked, though, looking at her. "Where am I meant to sleep? Now that you've mentioned it...?" He chewed on his lip, hoping it wouldn't be a cage.

Liz blinked but she offered an amused smile. "You just can't help yourself with the thank you comments, can you?" she teased lightly, though her expression softened as she listened to him continue to talk. "I'd be fine here. This has always been my life, Luke. I'm stronger than I look." She offered a weak smile, though her heart clenched and she shifted, placing her hand gently on his arm to squeeze gently. "I won't let them kill you. I'll keep you safe, protected, I promise." Seeing him get the food, though, she smiled and reached for a bowl to get herself some pasta as well, wanting to assure him the food was safe to eat, and she began eating quietly.

Peaches watched Michael, her heart lifting with his words. "I promise you, Michael, I won't get hurt." She told him, shifting closer as Benji curled up at their feet. "You can sleep with me, if you want." She offered. "I'm not putting you on the floor, or in a cage." She said firmly, studying the taller boy. "We don't have to be too close to each other, but if you're my gift," she used air quotes with that. "Then I get to choose, and I choose that you stay here, where I know you're looked after." She reached over to grab a doughnut, handing one to him and getting one for herself, resting against her headboard.

Luke smiled weakly at Liz as she gave him an amused smile. "Sorry." But still, he frowned when she told him she'd be fine in this house. "I wouldn't be able to leave you here, Liz." He told her, wanting to protect her, look after her, as much as she had with him. "I don't underestimate your strength, Liz, but I never want you in the way of harm." He ducked his head once more, feeling her gently squeeze his harm. "I'm sorry, Liz." He sniffled slightly as he felt tears burn in his eyes at the thought of not being near her. Watching her eat from the corner of his eye, Luke took a forkful, grateful for the food.

Michael watched her, hoping she was right, worried about the possibility that something awful could happen to her. Despite all the cruelty he'd been put through, he found himself wanting to protect her more than caring about his own safety anymore. "Are you sure that's okay?" he asked, blinking with her offer for him to sleep with her. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. And I don't want to be any trouble." He chewed on his lip but he offered a weak smile, taking the doughnut as he murmured another "Thank you."

Liz's expression softened as she watched him and she reached to run her fingers through his hair, wanting to do whatever she could to comfort him. "Hey, there's nothing to apologize for," she assured him quietly, shifting to sit on her knees to lean to kiss the top of his head gently. "We'll figure it out, okay? But, no matter what, I'm not gonna let anything happen to you." Offering a weak smile, she settled back down to get back to eating.

Peaches smiled with Michael's words. "It's okay." She confirmed. "I'd be glad of the company." She told him honestly. "It gets lonely, having a life like this." She frowned with those words. "Which, I guess, is why you're here in the first place." She ducked her head with the thought. "But you won't be any trouble." She promised, watching him eat his doughnut, laughing as he got jam on his chin. "Oi, you've just had a bath." She teased, wiping the jam off with her thumb.

Luke sniffled, but nodded, his eyes closing over as he felt her fingers through his hair once more, not wanting to admit it brought him so much comfort that he felt like he could die happy. Still, listening to Liz's words, nodding. "Thank you." He cringed at the sound of his own voice, the crack that was present, wanting the ground to swallow him up. Still, Luke put down his half empty bowl, pawing at his eyes tiredly. "Where do I sleep?" He asked, half expecting to be shown to a cage with no blanket or pillow.

Michael watched her, his expression softening when she talked about being lonely, and he shifted, wanting to reach out to comfort her, but worried that, if he tried, it would result in punishment. "I'm sorry you've been lonely," he murmured quietly, "I'll try to do what I can to alleviate that loneliness." He blinked, though, and smiled when she wiped the jam off but he ducked his head. "I'm sorry."

Liz smiled with concern as she watched him, finishing up her food as she set her bowl down. "Well, which side of the bed would you prefer?" she asked, looking to him with curiosity. "Or, if you'd rather sleep alone, I can just stay awake, make sure you're safe. I'd offer a room of your own, but I'm worried that somebody will bother you if you're alone."

Peaches smiled with Michael's words, watching as he shifted. "Thank you." She told him, genuinely grateful that he was so kind. Seeing him duck his head though, Pea shifted so she was kneeling beside him, gently cupping his face within her hands, lifting his face. "You don't ever have to apologise to me, Michael, okay?" She spoke softly, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

Luke blinked in surprise. "Wait, you mean I'm staying here?" With that, Luke frowned. "I can't do that to you, Liz." He looked up, at last, keeping his head up - revealing a healing black eye and a cut along his bottom lip. "I don't want you to go without at my expense." He told her, but his exhaustion was too much to ignore, but with her words, he found himself more alert. "Uh, which side do you normally sleep on?"

Michael could feel his heart swelling with the fact that she was thanking him, hopeful that he'd been able to provide her some sort of comfort, any kind, even an ounce of the comfort she'd been providing him since he first stepped into her room. Feeling her cup his face, though, he paused, watching her, but he found himself relaxing, easing into her touch as he closed his eyes, letting himself enjoy the contact. "You're so kind, Pea. I just don't want to cause you any trouble, ever, so I did have to apologize. You've done so much for me already," he whispered, though his heart swelled even more when she kissed his forehead, and he swore, in that moment, that he'd protect her, always.

"You think I'd make you stay somewhere else? Or be cruel and not let you sleep somewhere comfortable and warm?" Liz asked with a fond smile, though her expression fell when she saw his black eye and cut lip. Frowning gently, she tucked her fingers under her chin to lift his head a bit to get a better look. "Do you want me to get something for the black eye?" she asked gently, though she offered a weak smile. "Usually, the side nearest the window. The view outside is nice, calming. How about you sleep on that side? The view is calming, I promise."

Pea smiled as Michael eased into her touch, her thumbs running across the apples of his cheeks carefully, not wanting to startle him when he seemed to peaceful. Seeing his eyes close, Pea studied his face carefully, her eyes lingering on his lips for a long moment, having not realised until that moment that Michael was almost angelic. Still, she quickly distracted herself, pulling Michael into her embrace carefully. "Hey," she told him. "I'm doing what any person should do to help someone." She told him, kissing the top of his head.

Luke smiled back weakly. "I've been in a cage for as long as I can remember." He told Liz quietly, keeping his gaze from meeting hers when her expression fell, knowing she noticed his injuries."No, no, it's okay." He promised. "It's healing." He toyed with his lower lip, exhaling heavily, but pulling himself back together when Liz offered him a weak smile. "If that's your side, I don't want to take it from you." But even though she promised a good view, Luke knew the most beautiful view he'd ever see was her.

Michael found the contact between himself and Pea to be the most amazing, comforting thing ever, amazed by the fact that this one woman could make all of the bad okay, worth it, even. When she'd pulled him into her embrace, he so desperately wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her closer, but he didn't want to overstep any boundaries. "Not many people would actually do what you're doing, though," he whispered, leaning into her hold, "And that makes you all the more amazing, in my eyes."

"You'll never have to be in a cage again, okay?" Liz murmured gently as she examined him for a moment. "I promise." Shifting to sit back on her knees, she reached, sliding her arms around his neck and head to pull him close, running her fingers through his hair in hopes of comforting him in any way, her heart aching for him. "If you're sure. But let me know if you change your mind, okay?"

Pea noticed Michael's hesitation, and gently, she took his hands, guiding them around her middle, and just that feeling was enough to ignite something unfamiliar within her chest. Kissing the top of Michael's head, Pea listened as she carefully held him, not wanting to hurt him. "That's because people suck, Michael." She told him quietly, squeezing him gently as he leaned into her hold. "You're amazing, and you deserve some good."

Luke listened to Liz's promise, and he nodded, grateful to have a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in. But as Liz shifted, pulling him to her, Luke let himself relax, afraid to wrap his arms around her in return in case he angered her. But still, he stayed still, exhaling as he felt her fingers run through his hair, the smell of her perfume relaxing him, listening to her breathing was a reassurance that she was okay, something Luke wanted more than his own safety. "Okay." He whispered.

Michael was surprised to feel Pea take his hands, even guiding them, and, when his hands were around her, her in his arms, he swore his heart exploded with how wonderful it felt to hold her. Shifting, his fingers curled into her shirt as he held her close to himself, just wanting to have her close. "You're a good person, though," he whispered, "And I feel genuinely lucky that you came into my life. I can't thank you enough for that."

Liz smiled, relieved to feel Luke relaxing in her hold, and she kept running her fingers through his hair, not too eager to release her hold on him, just enjoying having him in her arms. Shifting, though, she kissed his forehead gently before she pulled back, not wanting to upset him, and she made a face. "If I ever do something that makes you uncomfortable, let me know, okay?" she murmured.

Pea smiled as Michael held her, running her hands through his hair, wanting him to know that she already thought so highly of him. Feeling his fingers curl into the material of her t-shirt though, Pea smiled, secretly liking it when he got clingy. "That's kinda the point," she teased. "You don't have to thank me." She told him, kissing the top of his head once more.

Luke hated it when he felt Liz pull back, just longing to be in her hold for a little while longer, but when he heard Liz's words, he nodded. "You could never do anything to make me uncomfortable, Liz." He promised quietly. "I like being with you." He told her, ducking his head shyly with his own words, even though he meant them. He loved it when Liz held him, he didn't even mind when she saw him in just his underwear.