Edmund was kneeling next to the boy, trying to help him through whatever was happening, while Daisy stood awkwardly to the side. She looked scared and as much as Sebastian wanted to ask what-and-why, he knew that Ed was helping Luke, so he needed to help Daisy. He motioned for her to follow him into the hallway between the shop, backroom, and stairs to the Violets’ apartment.

Daisy hesitantly followed and once the door to the backroom was closed, she asked, “Is Luke going to die?”

Now that was an unexpected inquiry.

“No, honey, what made you think that?”

“Luke was fine, but then we heard the bell for the shop, and he must have gotten scared because he began breathing really weird. Then he was on the floor holding his chest and crying. Uncle Enzo did that before he died. Mama said it was a heart attack.”

“I see. Luke isn’t having a heart attack though, so he’ll be fine. It’ll just take him a minute to be okay again.”

Daisy nodded and her shoulders sagged in relief. Seb gave her a comforting side hug and the pair waited in silence until Edmund peaked his head out the door. “We need to go.”

“Now?”

“Now.” Ed urged.

Sebastian felt like he was missing something big here. He could only nod and follow with Daisy out the back door to the car. Nick had insisted that if it was going to be four of them riding around now, then they’d have to switch to using his car. Edmund hadn’t been happy to leave behind his truck, but he didn’t seem to mind the switch too much.

Luke was already in the backseat. He looked tired and anxious. The further they drove from the Emporium though, the calmer he became. Seb wanted to ask so many questions, but he didn’t think now was the right time either. Instead, he played some music to fill the silence.

The easy beat seemed to alleviate most tension in the car, and at least put Daisy into a dancey mood in her seat. By the time that they got to their destination, which was apparently Sebastian’s house, Luke was smiling as he watched Daisy lip-sync.

Daisy paused her performance however to stare in confusion at the house. “Where are we?”

“This is my home.” Sebastian answered, sending Edmund a questioning look of his own along the lines of ‘why are we here?’

Before he could say anything though, Luke spoke up. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t think you did anything wrong, bud, but why are you apologising?” Sebastian asked.

Luke shuffled uncomfortably. “I overreacted at the shop.”

“You didn’t overreact.” Edmund stated softly but firmly. “Plenty of people have anxiety attacks, and they suck, but they’re still a normal reaction.”

Luke didn’t seem completely convinced, but at least he looked less ashamed of himself.

Daisy broke the silence that followed. “Are we still going to the mall today?”

Sebastian answered first. “If you don’t mind kiddo, I think we’ll save it for another day. I’m honestly wiped out from work, but we could have a fun movie night here if you want.”

Daisy didn’t seem at all disappointed and Luke looked relieved. Ed gave him a bright smile, and Seb decided that he’d made the right move.

Emily and Nick were out for a date night, if he was remembering correctly, so they had the house all to themselves. And that meant they could raid the house of all its pillows and blankets to create the fort of their dreams. They also got plenty of drinks and snacks, but by the middle of their third movie, Luke and Daisy were both passed out.

They were snuggled together under a blanket with Sebastian and Edmund on either side of them. Daisy was softly snoring, and Luke had his mouth open a little.

“They look so adorable,” Ed cooed.

“They really do. We should take pictures.” Seb stated, even though he made no move to find a camera. He was far too comfortable right where he was.

“This was a good idea. Thanks for handling Daisy, with this and at the emporium.”

“It was nothing. Though, I do want to ask what exactly happened today. Daisy described an anxiety attack and you kind of confirmed it was one in the car, but do you know why...?”

“I don’t, but I have a guess. Lance.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“There was a smell from the shop. I don’t know what of, but after he registered it, Luke began having trouble breathing. I tried talking to him, but he was so far gone that he fell to the floor.” Edmund paused to take a grounding breath. “He begged me not to hurt him.”

Sebastian took a moment to absorb the implication and nodded sombrely. “He has hinted at abuse before. Just after Quiver visited to tell us about a rouge appearing. I don’t think he’s ready to talk about it.”

“I don’t think so either. But there must be something we can do for him in the meantime, right?”

“I think what we’re already doing is enough. Giving him a place where he’s safe and people he can really trust. There’s no telling how long it will take, but he’ll get there... shit.”

“What?”

“I forgot all about Patricia?”

“Who? The vampire?”

“Yeah, she came into the shop just before...” Sebastian paused. “You said that there was a smell, right?”

Edmund tilted his head to the side confusedly. “That triggered Luke? Yeah.”

“Daisy said that he was triggered just after the bell for the shop rang. Whatever triggered Luke came in with Patricia. There was something about her that made me uncomfortable when she first came in.”

“Do you think she’s talked to Lance or something.”

“I don’t know. We need to talk to Persephone and Hayden about this.”

Edmund nodded and moved carefully away from Luke and Daisy to fetch his phone. Sebastian followed, with one last glance at the sleeping pair. He never wished more that they could live normal boring lives. These two deserved time to be happy and heal after everything that life had thrown at them. But they couldn’t have that yet.

Yet doesn’t mean never though. He and Ed would sort this out, and then they’d get there...