[JORDAN] it started with a whisper.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon wrapped his arm around the boy, slowly running his hand over his side. He pulled Jordan's hand to his lips, gently kissing each of his finger tips. He'd never been so gentle with someone. He'd never really ever given anyone this much attention. But Jordan was different. "You're adorable, you know that?" He asked, looking over at him.

[jordan marcus ballard]

Jordan smiled at him hazily with the tender kisses. "Now I do..." He murmured. "You can be really sweet." His smile grew briefly, breaths slowing as he fell into a complete calm in that moment. For oncehe didn't worry about pills, or being tested on, or being locked away from the outside world. No, that was all forgotten. He was too happy to care.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "Can't say I've ever been called that.. Everything but that, actually." He said quietly. He ran his hand gently over the boy's back, watching him intently. There wasn't a thing about Jordan he didn't like. He kissed his forehead gently, then reached up to gently tip his chin back, giving him another soft kiss.

[jordan marcus ballard]

"No? Well you are." Jordan blushed faintly at the kiss to his forehead, smiling. He shifted his weight a little more as Deacon brought fingers to his chin, and he calmly met the soft kiss, then buried his face and sighed. A smile lingered on his lips, unable to help himself. He hadn't thought there would be a way to be happy in this place.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon wrapped his arms around the boy, holding him close. He ran his hands slowly over his back, closing his green eyes. He hadn't ever been this happy. He heard Bandit cry and looked over. He held out his arm, hugging her close as she laid down on his chest. 'Daddy. Hurt.' She cried, tugging at her wing. He slowly ran his hand over her back, hoping it would feel better. "Daddy's sorry. Ask Jordan to kiss it. I can't reach." He said. Bandit turned to Jordan, puckering her lips at him.

[jordan marcus ballard]

Jordan pressed close, raising his head as he heard Bandit cry. He watched Deacon hug her to his chest, biting his lip awkwardly as she puckered her own. He couldn't help but feel awkward around young children. Kissing her forehead, he reached badk to rub her wing gently.

[deacon reid rudman]

"Ow. Bandit big head." He complained, gently pulling her lower on his chest. "I'm not going to have a collar bone when you're done." He gently ran his fingers through her hair, humming quietly. She just laid there, sucking on her fingers and watching Jordan curiously. She sneezed and started to cry again, curling up on Deacon's chest. "Oh, princess." He breathed, wrapping his arm around her.

[jordan marcus ballard]

Jordan frowned when Bandit started crying again. "Hey baby..you want to hear asong..?" He wasn't sure he wanted to embarass himself, but maybe it would distract her. A gentle smile passed his lips.

[deacon reid rudman]

Bandit nodded, reaching up to wipe away her tears. Deacon groaned as he sat up against the wall, holding the little girl to his chest. It never failed to amaze him how big she was getting. She really was growing up. And it scared and saddened him. What was he going to do when she was grown? Those moments she hated dad, was angry at him for not giving her a mother, for not having a normal job, for dragging her into this. 'P'tty peas?' She asked, sniffling.

[jordan marcus ballard]

Jordan sat up slowly as well, looking over when she spoke. "Okay." He murmured, reaching for her little hand as he began to sing a gentle lullaby. It was one Zain used to sing before psychological anger got the best of him. Jordan smiled, voice soft and smooth.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon listened quietly, slowly running his hand over her back. Bandit held onto his hand, squeezing it gently in her's. She stuck her fingers in her mouth, sucking on them sleepily. "It beats the German ones my mom used to sing her. That's a terrifying language. Especially when your mom's screaming it with anything that could be a weapon in her hand." He watched Bandit climb over into Jordan's lap. "She's gonna do that all night. She's sick."

[jordan marcus ballard]

Jordan frowned. "I'm sorry.." He murmured as he spoke of his mother. He knew what it was like, but it had been his uncle.
He pulled Bandit close when she climbed into his lap. "It's okay.." He was perfectly fine woth babying her all night.

[deacon reid rudman]

"Don't be sorry. It wasn't you." He said quietly, gently rubbing her back. "Just keep her away from your collar bone. You'll wish you were born without one when she's done rooting it to death." He kissed his cheek gently before he laid down again, pulling the pillow under his head.

[jordan marcus ballard]

Jordan chuckled, smiling at the kiss to his cheek. He hugged Bandit a little closer, remaining sitting against the wall. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back, but it wasn't long before he was starting to doze, arms wrapped protectively around the sick little red head.

[deacon reid rudman]

Deacon laid there quietly, and was soon enough asleep. But knowing Bandit was sick, it was a light sleep. Any sneeze or groan or cough or noise whatsoever woke him up. Bandit started crying in the middle of the night that her wings hurt, so he did the only thing he could think of- he picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. He ran the warm water, them soaked a towel in it. He wrapped it around her, hugging her close until she finally stopped crying.