The Boy from the Bunker

Episode Four, Part 1:

Episode Four, Part 1:

I m i t a t e

Before Wynnlow even had a chance to answer her question, she had grabbed onto his arm and pulled him over to the entrance of the tent.

"Go, Wynn. You shouldn't be here."

Already met with the familiar feeling of annoyance he associated with her, Wynn pulled his arm free, straightening up his sleeves. "Your father welcomed me in, for the record."

"Well, I'm telling you to go."

"Relax. You're not Sovereign yet, Sol."

She stepped closer, a harsh glare fixed on him. She was now blocking his way, now preventing Wynn from moving further into the room. "I told you to stop calling me that."

"Which one?" Wynnlow challenged. "Sovereign? Or Sol?" He smirked, clearly amused  with himself. In retaliation, Sol grabbed him by the collar, her forearm pressed against his neck, restricting the breath that reached his lungs.

At the noticeable conflict between the two, people immediately rushed over. Eryx was there first, joined by Aeryn, Kodiak, and a couple of other people Wynnlow had never seen before. Sol was pulled away by Kodiak, and Aeryn was quick to console Wynn as he tried to regain his breath.

Over the commotion of voices filling the room, Wynn could just about distinguish what Eryx was saying to her. "Sol, you can't jeopardise my plan. You need him."

At his words, Sol looked over to Wynn, the two sharing a moment filled with so many undetected emotions, but he was no way near as scared as he should have been.

"How's your throat? Does it hurt to breathe?" Aeryn spoke up, breaking Wynnlow from his cold stare.

"Has done since I reached the Ground." He muttered to himself, then, softening in apology to Aeryn. This wasn't her fault. He didn't want to drag his anger for Sol onto anybody else.

"Don't worry. She'll warm up to you." Aeryn encouraged him.

"Ha. You believe that?" Wynnlow laughed, feeling a little lighter in their conversation, her presence seeming to calm him down.

"Just give her a while. It's just a stressful time for her." Wynnlow considered her words, studying Sol as she was directed around the room, seemingly a hundred different things needing her attention. "I'm sorry." Aeryn stuttered. "I didn't mean that to sound so... inconsiderate. I know everything must be pretty hard for you."

As a warm feeling flushed through him, the corners of Wynnlow's lips tugged upwards. He shifted so he was facing her completely. "You know, I think you're the first person here that's actually considered how I might be feeling about everything... Thank you, Aeryn. I appreciate it."

She smiled fondly back at him. "Now are you okay, or do I need to take you back to the medic tent? Then again," she teased, "you turn up there so often, I'm wondering if that's exactly what you wanted."

Laughing along, Wynnlow replied, "No, I'm good. I'm alright, thank you." But what she had said earlier about Sol wouldn't leave his mind. Moments passed until either one of them spoke again, both taking in their surroundings.

"You really think she'll come around?"

Aeryn titled her head, both of them now gazing over at Sol, trying to comprehend what life must be like for her. "If it was anyone else? No. Probably not." Nervous laughter spilled out of her. "But, she did save you out there the other night. Most people wouldn't have done that. I'm sure there's a reason she wants you at Basilisk, and because of that, I think she'll tolerate you just a little bit more."

Wynn half smiled, wondering if it was enough for him. His relationship with Sol was exhausting, and they had only known each other for such a short amount of time. She could teach him things: how to survive, how to find the other Clans, so there was that part that he was clinging onto. Searching in every interaction. But she was stubborn, and cold, and impatient to Wynnlow's wavering certainty. He needed her, and now, it was as though she needed him, too.

f o u r  //  p  a r t   o n e 
I'm so excited, I'm going to go into work early and do some writing/film prep (I get really distracted at home (I have a puppy) and I'm going to get a hot chocolate, but like, with a 'cookie dough' liqueur in it. My co worker made it once for us to share and it was SO good oh my gosh.

I like Wynn and Aeryn's friendship. I think she's just what he needs at the moment. Someone soft, and compassionate, in a way that Sol isn't.