The Price of a Life [Delirious x Reader]

Part 5

A/N:

Sorry, we had a nasty power outage due to some Spring Showers, eheheh. Hope you enjoy!

~.~.~.~

I felt giddy. It was like I couldn't stop bouncing in my place, even after I was sat at the bar stool at the counter to eat. I couldn't keep the bubbly feeling inside as a giggle rolled from me again.

Vanoss said I could stay, at least, for now. He said I had to listen and learn, train like the rest of them. He also said I still had to go to school, but he was going to look at maybe getting me classes for online. If he couldn't find a good place, I was going to be allowed to stay with them.

It made me happy.

Nogla, one of the giants, was in the kitchen helping Moo cook food for the whole group. Well, he said he was helping, but all I saw was him stealing food off the plates while Moo wasn't looking, and jamming it into his mouth. Moo totally saw, but rolled his eyes with a smirk, pretending nothing happened. Moo called them a family.

I wanted to be apart of this family.

I was jolted out of my mind at a new presence. Delirious slid into the chair next to me, leaning his face on his hand. I turned to him, noticing how his behavior was different than normal. At least, from what I've seen from him so far. It made my stomach pinch uncomfortably. "What's wrong?"

"Just tired. Don't worry about it." From his tone, I could imagine the smile behind his mask. It sounded forced. He slumped forwards, resting his face on the counter and closing his eyes.

Shrugging him off, I twist in my chair, using the extra feet holds to make me move from side to side. Silence aside from the crackling of the stove filled the kitchen.

The guy with darker skin came sauntering in. "Hey, how much longer bitch?"

Nogla turned towards him with an outrageous look, pointing at me before whispering a little too loudly, "Not in front of te kid, Marcel."

He turned, spotting me and surprise covered his face. "Aw, shit, I'm sorry!" Nogla whacked him upside his head. "Dammit I'm sorry!" Thump, "Ah! I said I'm Sorry!"

I giggled at the two. Covering my mouth, I watched the exchange as the two were squabbling back and forth. "It's okay. Cursing doesn't bother me much."

Nogla and Marcel both stopped to look at me. Nogla walked towards me suddenly, his look going stern. "Now, I don't want te hear any ting foul comin out of tat mouth, you hear?"

Another giggle bubbled up from my throat at his stern look. I nod quickly, smiling as bright as I could to show that I'd try to listen to his ground rules. He waggled his eyebrows and I giggled through my smile again.

"Good." he responded, his hand resting on top of my head and messing up my hair.

From further than the living room, I could just make out the sound of the foot steps making their way towards the kitchen. Around the corner, I noticed someone in a red shirt, and grinned. Jumping off of the tall chair, bristling at the pain in my heels, I ignore it and  run towards him, standing so short.

He had a look of surprise on his face at seeing me, and  the other two guys being completely 'normal' at my presence. Whatever he was thinking, he blocked from his face and smiled down at me in a teasing tone. "Well hi there, short fry. What are you up to?"

"Hi Cartoonz. I'm waiting for some lunch. Do you want to join us?"

He smiled, placing his palm on the top of my head. 'Sure, I could go for something to eat after my nap." He picked me up and put me back in the chair I was previously on. Before sitting in another, he looks down at my bandaged feet. "When were these last checked?"

Moo turned from the stove. "Almost two hours ago. She took a nap and had a meeting with Vanoss. I thought that in the next hour or so we'd put some more ointment on her feet."

Cartoonz nodded his approval, sitting in the chair on the other side of me. He looks at Delirious over my head, his eyes narrowing slightly as his eyebrows furrow, concern flashing over his face. "Dude, why don't you go sleep. We all know you haven't in the last 2 days."

He mumbled something before reaching over to me and gripping my hand, completely ignoring Cartoonz. I smile, holding his hand in my lap. A yawn ripped from me as I became groggy all of a sudden. We could both go for some sleep after lunch.

~.~.~.~

I was supposed to be taking a nap in Cartoonz's room after lunch, so Delirious could finally catch up on sleep in his own room, but every time I closed my eyes, it was like all those years of being under his roof came back, and I was trapped, trying to hide away like a shadow in the closet.

Wildcat didn't help. He was tall, scary, and condescending when he looked at me or spoke about me. He couldn't even seem to speak to me. It was like I was the dirt below his shoe.

Rolling over in the deep red covers I pinch my eyes close again hoping for sleep.

She twisted around her seat, offering a gentle smile as he drove. His hands were clenched on the wheel, white as his gaze flew back and forth. Her lips trembled as she looked out of the corner of her eye at him before looking back at me. Her lips began moving She was silent but I knew what she was saying. "Everything's okay." White, numbing pain and the distant, foggy sound of car horns.

Jolting awake, I shake, staring at the ceiling, the blankets thrown off of me. Lifting my hands up, I can see them, albeit slightly swaying. No white band, no wires in my arm. Just the ceiling of Cartoonz's room.

Rolling to the ground, my legs collapse under me, shaking unsteadily as I pull to my feet.

I needed someone. Maybe I could find Moo? He'd give me a hug... or maybe I could find Delirious? But he was just now catching up on much needed sleep, and I wouldn't want to interrupt him. But, if I slept in the room as someone else, maybe it would help scare away the dreams.

Clenching my teeth in determination, I slide to the door, ignoring the pain in my feet, and leave, remembering to close it behind me. I wander down the hall to where I remember Delirious' room be. As I step outside, I bite my lip nervously. I didn't want to wake or anger him.

Leaning in close, I couldn't hear much from his room. The sound of deep snoring made me question if this was a good idea. Biting my lip and dancing from foot to foot, I just decided to roll with the consequences. Gently twisting his door knob, it clicks open and swings slowly, the slightest of creaks following. My heart hammers in my chest as I survey the room.

He's laying down on his stomach, his head poised and facing the door. He doesn't have his mask on, and I spot it on the nightstand. With a deep breath, I step in and close the door behind me.

Nibbling on my lip, I creep in more, sliding on my toes to avoid making a sound. Originally, I planned on laying on the floor, but something in me compelled my feet to move closer to the bed. Delicately, I sit on the edge of his bed. My heart was in my throat as I released a short breath.

Before I could react, his hand sought out mine, and my hand was wrapped with his, yet his eyes were still pinched shut. With a slight tug of my hand, testing out his hold, I realize he held it tightly, as if not planning to let go. Holding my breath, I wiggle onto the bed and lay down facing him.

Everything fades away almost instantly.

////

A/N:

What do you think of Dad Moo and Protective Delirious? C: Any other major interactions you want in this book? I'm sorta flying by the seat of my pants sooooo ouob