The Good and the Bad ~aarmau/borderlands AU~

~Restored~

*Play Song*

"That should do it." Lucinda announces, her hands ceasing their movements, as did the warm, healing scarlet energy which had danced and wove its way through Aphmau's devasted physique.

Despite her current state, her eyes appeared to be resting peacefully, her delicate lips parted slightly as if in the midst of her last word.

"Thanks, Lucy. You should go rest...you seemed to really give it your all out there." Aaron says quietly, his weary eyes showing his fatigue and worry, his hand clutching Aphmau's limp one tightly.

"I did exert myself a wee bit beyond what I anticipated to be—you know, cause catching a falling train was on the agenda." Lucinda sarcastically retorts, stimulating a wry smile from the pained husband, but his attention barely leaves his unconscious spouse.

"Seriously....thank you, Lucinda. You and Laurence always figure out a way to bail us out every time—heh, probably why we're all still alive." Aaron expresses gratefully, mentally reminiscing about their past adventures.

"She's gonna wake up." Lucinda states, somewhat ignoring Aaron's sentiment, but her response is better than a simple thanks to Aaron. "If Aphmau can come back from the great beyond AND survive being married to you, I'm positive she will wake up to pester you another day."

Aaron smirks at Lucinda, nodding appreciatively as she departs the room, but not before stopping at the doorway to make one last witty remark. "And have some faith in me, Lycan...my irene, my magic isn't that flawed."

A few hours pass by, Garroth at the wheel steering the Caravan back to Sanctuary to regroup, the furious storm of the Tundra beginning to dwindle as the vehicle infiltrates more sunny territory.

Aaron's eyelids had just started to droop heavily, tempting him with slumber, before he feels the figure before him, stir restlessly.

His eyes swell with surprise, then ease with delight as hazel pupils meet his.

"Morning, baby. How are you feeling?" Aaron asks softly, his free hand grazing her cheek with tenderness.

"Better than I thought I would...Lucinda?" Aphmau questions with the name, knowing of her restorative qualities. At Aaron's nod, she works to sit up, only to coincide with a barrier of intense, acute pain in her torso, which she responds to with a lamenting cry.

At her discomfort, Aaron grasps his wife's arms gently, lowering her back down on the cushions. "Careful there. Lucinda is good, but gunshot wounds and sore uteruses are a little more complex than a concussion."

At his words, Aphmau catches her breath, then sighs knowingly, her gaze finding her husband's, a rueful smile at her lips. "I'm guessing Lucinda told you."

"Yeah. A little later than I would've wanted to know."

"I'm sorry, Aaron." Aphmau closes her for a long moment. "I barely knew it myself—"

"No, I'm sorry." Aaron transfers from the bedside chair to rest on the edge of the bed, clutching Aphmau's tight with both loving hands. "Before we get to that, I just...I-I thought...I thought..."

"Hey...hey, baby." Aphmau says quietly as accumulating tears in Aaron's gaze threatened an appearance.

"I thought...I lost you, again Aph...I mean, again." Aaron whispers, the terrorizing words challenging to even consider.

Aphmau's heart breaks "I know, Aaron...but I'm here. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere." Aphmau stiffly grasps Aaron's hand, trying to minimize her general movement, but the gesture is soothing to the Vault Hunter. "Plus, you gave us quite a scare as well, Lycan."

Aaron smirks, his tear tracks still glistening at his cheeks. "Call it even?"

"Deal."

What follows is a decently extensive period of pure silence, the exceptions being their fatigued breathing, and the distant roaring of the Caravan's engine.

Aaron notices Aphmau raise an expecting eyebrow, Aaron responding with the furrowing of his brow. Aphmau just rolls her eyes.

"Well...aren't you gonna ask?"

"About?"

"Um, the baby?"

Before Lycan can respond, an ominous atmosphere starts to become apparent for the couple as the overhead speaker which usually facilitates announcements, emits an irregular, haunting yet unforgettable voice.

"Vault hunters...it's been...too long."

Have a nice day my crystals!