[Eleven met her arms with a grateful wind of his own. He breathed in, shuddering just a little before settling. His eyes still felt tired from all the crying he'd done the night before and some of the morning, so it was a blessing to close them and simply hold her, leeching comfort from the solid warmth against him.

He breathed a soft sigh]

..It felt like the right thing to do.

[Eleven hummed, eyes lowering]

I'm sorry. I was.. [He trailed off with a frown, quiet for a few moments]

You know Archeval has been out of town for the past two months or so..

[Eleven glanced off, lips pressing together. He took a breath]

He's.. I haven't heard from him in several weeks, so I contacted the Merchant- he was out doing something for him- but he hasn't heard from him either.

[He swallowed] He more or less dismissed my concerns, but he doesn't know.. and I promised I wouldn't tell anyone so I can't say, but Archeval isn't.. wasn't quite well when he left.

[Eleven took in a breath, met her eyes, and considered telling her.

Come lecture me, he dared the color of her eyes, then finally shook his head]

I can't say. But.. I do know that it was getting worse. I should've.. I don't know- insisted before he left maybe, but I wouldn't have been able to help him then. ..I don't know if I could now, but I'm- I'm worried. He's stubborn and prideful and I don't know what he was doing out there, but I can't even reach him at all, now.

[Eleven huffed an aggrieved breath, and reminded himself not to translate his frustration with the man into the arms wrapped around Lily]

He said he'd make Archeval 'aware of the calls on his attention'. As though he wouldn't already be, but.. I'm desperate enough that I offered to make it worth the effort of telling me if he found anything. I think I'm more worried he won't find anything, but I don't know that I'd rather hear he's..

[He exhaled, shaken] Archeval was the first person I really came to know, here. He promised me..

[It felt stupid to think about saying it out loud. Childish even, that he'd hold onto that sort of promise, but remembering the words 'our future' didn't fail to tug at his heart over again]

I know there isn't. There isn't anything I can do, except run East and hope to find him, but that would be.. short-sighted and reckless.

[He settled back into her arms with a sigh]

I haven't heard from him in over a month. I've been trying not to worry, but knowing no one's heard from him now.. I just pray he'll turn up and call me an idiot for ever doubting him.

[It really shouldn't feel like the likely loss of Archeval has left him alone, but it persists despite Lily's comfort and the handful of other friends he's made in their group. The man had become a steadying and rational presence that he feels unmoored without.

He breathes and shifts subtly as her weight leans more heavily against him]

I'll stay as long as you want me to. You should eat, besides. I can try warming the soup for you.

[He meets her eyes with a frown, but elects not to push the matter- yet. Later, or perhaps when they wake up, he'll insist.

For now, he's more tired than he has any real right to be. Eleven brushes strands of hair out of her face]

Yes. I'll rest with you.

[He nods. The sick feeling in his stomach hasn't entirely abated since the warnings began to echo through the city. Made worse now through loss and some degree of hopelessness.

Eleven follows and settles into bed with her in a loose hold. He's grateful for this, for being able to feel her against him. He isn't sure how he'd manage another night like the previous one. He presses a gentle kiss to her temple]

I pray we feel better in the morning.