[C] Freedom

Bryn didn't seem angry about it.

The boy relaxed a little, leaning back in his chair. Being able to admit things like that without the fear of punishment was a strange experience. It was little off putting. People here was so nice but there was always a limit to people's kindness.

Someday he'd ask for something and someone would explode at him in the way that he was so familiar with. The boy rubbed at his shoulder, where a particularly rough whip scar was.

"I won't get through it all." He knew he wouldn't. He couldn't eat an ordinary sized portion. "They won't mind me not eating it all, will they?"

He didn't know how these people would react to wasted food.

He shook his head slowly.

"They wont mind at all, they have dealt with hundreds of the freed, it is rare that one of them comes out of their old situations with a healthy appetite.

It takes a while for their bodies to function healthily. Soon enough you'll be eating properly and sleeping well, it all just takes time. Anything you don't eat will simply be passed along, I'm sure the livestock will be pleased with a treat."

And just like that a rather chesty woman padded over, greeted them then places down a bowl of beef and vegetable stew with bread for both of them.

It was okay if he didn't eat everything, then.

He didn't have to worry about punishments if he didn't clear his plate. No whipping for wasting food. He was...safe? That word seemed so bittersweet. Safe. His body was safe but his mind would continue to rot.

"Thank you," the boy murmured, smiling hesitantly up at the woman as she set a bowl in front of him.

The portion was massive. He didn't even think he could get half way through it.

Brynjolf picked up his spoon without hesitation, dipping into the meat and sauce eagerly, a deep purr sounded as it hit his tongue.

It didn't matter how many times he ate here the food still tasted wonderful, especially after a mission when you could appreciate the smaller things in life.

"Eat what you can, try to get some meat and vegetable into you, they'll make you stronger."

He would need the strength if he wanted to wield a weapon properly.

The boy dipped the spoon into the stew and stirred it slowly.

It looked good. His stomach rumbled loudly and his cheeks flushed. Apparently his body thought so, too.

"Aye, captain."

Fys lifted the spoon, with a little of the sauce, up and sipped at it. It was nice. He dunked the spoon again and swallowed the sauce and a few chunks of vegetables.

He chewed on the chunk of meat he bought to his lips next, purring softly as the flavour melted over his tongue. It was amazing.

Brynjolf chuckled at the boy's purr, it seemed they had similar tastes in food. The man pointed down at his bowl with his spoon, a smile spreading across his lips.

"Best beef stew in Kunla."

He could attest to that, he had traveled around enough in the realm to know where to get a decent meal.

He tore off a piece of bread and soaked it in the sauce before scooping it up and eating it.

"It's the best I've had."

Granted it was the only one he had.

He was sure he'd taste others in his time. But for now this was the best he'd had and it would stay that way.

The boy continued to bring chunks of meat and vegetables to his mouth, chewing on them eagerly.

"Don't eat too fast, you're not use to this much food, you'll give yourself a stomach ache."

He muttered before returning to his own meal and eating it eagerly. That was a scene he had witnessed too often, ex-slaves got too excited around food and buried themselves in it only to throw it all up again when their stomachs were overloaded.

"Glad you're enjoying it though."

"I know, I know."

He was pacing himself.

...Somewhat.

He was going slow enough to not throw everything back up again. He knew the drill and he'd been sticking to it like it was a religion since he'd been freed. This just tasted better than anything else he had eaten so far.

The boy licked his lips when a bit of the sauce dribbled down his chin, but didn't mop up the rest; just continued shovelling vegetables into his mouth and chewing them happily.

"So messy."

Bryn teased as he pulled off a small piece of bread and mopped up the sauce dribbling down Fys' chin before pressing it to the boy's lips for him to eat.

"I've seen children with better table manners."

The man smirked, it was fun teasing Fys.

The boys lips parted as the bread was pressed to his lips.

His tongue caressed the man's fingertips as the chunk of bread was pushed past his lips; his amber eyes gazing up at Bryn's silently.

Then he picked up a chunk of beef and began chewing on it with a happy little smile.

"I've not got anyone to impress with good table manners." Did it really matter that he spilled a little bit of sauce down his chin when he ate?

Brynjolf stared down at the boy, his gaze hardening for a moment as the boy's tongue swiped over his fingers, his hand retracting back to his own bowl slowly as Fys returned to eating.

He wasn't sure whether the boy had done that on purpose but he tried to ignore it, he wouldn't let himself get involved with one of the freed, least of all someone who was recovering from sexual abuse.

He didn't want to use his position like that and do something that would put back the boy's healing process.

"Fair point."

Bryn muttered before returning to his meal.

A few minutes later the boy dropped his spoon in his half empty bowl and leaned back, rubbing his stomach happily.

"That was really good!"

He hadn't finished it but he had definitely enjoyed it.

When he could eat a whole meal, he would definitely come back here and have this again. Then he could really enjoy it.

"Better than rabbit?"

He asked with a chuckle, you got sick of rabbit after a while, they were easy to catch and pretty much everywhere, except for in the deserts of Aedan.

As such they ate them often so it was nice to have something that was actually cooked with care.

"Only just."

He'd only had rabbit twice. It still had the new taste value going for it for the young Elf.

He was sure he'd get sick of it in time just like everyone else but for now he still enjoyed the taste of it immensely.

"We have to have this again sometime."

"We will, every successful mission we can come back here and have what ever you want."

Brynjolf was a realist, he wouldn't promise the boy they would come here after every mission, only the successful ones, there was no telling if one of them would end up in bed, their wounds being tended to, or worse.

He hoped for the best for the boy, and vowed to protect him even after he could protect himself.

Fys grinned brightly at the prospect of coming here after every successful mission.

"That better be a promise, captain."

The boy nudged his bowl towards the older Elf. He couldn't finish it off but Bryn might be able to. He didn't want to see food go to waste. He'd gained an appreciation for food and knew not to ever let it go to waste.

"Where are we laying our heads tonight?"

He guessed that the men would have somewhere for the freedom fighters to sleep when they were here.

Brynjold finished off his own meal then moved onto Enfys bowl, he was more than happy to finish off what the boy couldn't each, plus in the depths of Aedan they rarely got to eat well, there was nothing to hunt and they couldn't move toward to coast or water to fish because those areas were heavily occupied.

"In the barn with the others, we all occupy the top level, we stay there so the Elves can come to us if they feel unsafe."

If Fys weren't joining them he would be down with the others but it was different since he was joining up.

The boy nodded.

That was logical. That way if any of the freed slaves felt scared, they could go to help.

Fys felt better knowing that he would have so many helpful people around him when he slept. Hopefully that would allow him to sleep a little easier tonight.

He'd still try and sleep close to Bryn, though. He trusted Bryn more than anyone else.

Brynjolf placed the second empty bowl out in front of him before standing with a contented groan.

"Lets head up there now."

He was wary from travelling and wanted nothing more than to fall into bed for a well deserved rest.

"Come on."

He motioned as he headed toward the door, thanking the staff before leading the way toward the large barn.

The boy followed after Bryn obediently, thanking the staff quietly just the same as Bryn did as they left.

He padded up next to the man so they were walking side by side towards the barn, looking up at the man with his glowing amber eyes.

He clasped his hands behind his back as he walked, tilting his head to the side a little as he stared up at Bryn.

Bryn turned his head so he could see the boy with his good eye as he was stared up at.

"You alright?"

He asked curiously, he wasn't accustomed to people looking at him like that.

Quietly he led the boy into the barn, many of the occupants were already fast asleep, to the right there was a flight of stairs that led up three floor on the top was a series of rooms, each one that the squad members name on it, this was the only place they had some privacy, as such each member had their own closed off room to sleep in, Brynjolf's was at the very end.

"There is a spare room three down from me."

He muttered, pointing to the unmarked door.

"That can be yours from now on."

"Mhmm," he replied with a little hum and a bright smile.

The boy's face fell a fraction as Bryn pointed out a room.

He had thought they'd be sleeping in one big room, or at least sharing smaller rooms between a few people.

The thought of being left alone with his thoughts and nightmares wasn't appealing in the slightest.

"Thank you," the boy murmured, opening the door and looking inside.

It was a nice enough room. But it seemed a little too big. He was so used to sleeping around others that he really didn't like the thought of being alone in a room by himself.

He couldn't complain, though. Bryn was being nice enough to give him a room.

"If you need me, you know where I am, don't hesitate to come see me. You're one of us now but I understand that you still need time to heal properly, as such if you would prefer to be downstairs with the others you're welcome to."

The man gave a soft shrug, he wasn't as judging and harsh and Fys worried he would be, he was more than happy to accommodate the boy however he needed.

He really did want the best for Enfys.

The boy gave a hesitant little smile and nodded.

He wouldn't go downstairs. As much as he wanted someone with him tonight, he didn't trust anyone downstairs.

Pride and fear would stop him from going to see Bryn, too. He'd suffer through tonight no matter what the cost was.

"Goodnight," the boy murmured, closing his door gently and turning around towards the bed.