To Mend Broken Bonds

---Indigo---

The next morning, I paid a visit to Aaron and Katherine. We didn't have many spare tents, and Aaron insisted on staying with Katherine, so Lucian made the executive decision to let them share a large tent. Rumors were already flying around camp regarding the two; some said Lionel tortured the assassins to insanity, and some whispered that the assassins were crazed fans of the Rosewood Seven. The most popular one was that Katherine/Aaron had a love affair with Lionel/me, and came for revenge after being dumped.

"Hi Aaron." I lifted the tent flap and walked in to see Aaron sitting beside Katherine's cot. "How's Katherine?"

"Rachel said her condition is stable now," Aaron replied tiredly. "She's still unconscious though."

He didn't look at me, which indicated that there was still a certain level of distrust towards me. My heart ached. "Aaron…" I walked towards him and Katherine, wanting to see Katherine more closely and to offer comfort, but Aaron pulled out his sword in one fluid motion and blocked my way.

"Sorry Indigo. Please don't come any closer." He finally raised his gaze to mine, and I was shocked at the amount of pain and anguish present in his brown eyes. "Kath and I, we've been through so much in the past several months. We've barely dodged the grasps of Death one too many times. I'm sorry, but after all the betrayals, I just can't trust anyone, even if you were my friend."

Even if you were my friend. Past tense. I'm not his friend anymore. "Aaron, I understand. I don't know what you and Katherine went through, but we're a team, Aaron. We're the Rosewood Seven. The only people we can trust are each other." I tried to persuade him.

Aaron shook his head and glanced at the sleeping Katherine. His gaze softened. "Kath and I have walked to the gates of Death and back together. I can't lose her. She is the only one I trust completely. I will never forgive Lionel for torturing Kath like that." His eyes took on a hint of anger. "I want to trust you, Indigo. You don't know how hard it is to not be able to trust anyone. But for now, I think it's best if we kept our distance from each other. Maybe when Kath wakes up, we can all catch up and see if anyone is lying."

Clearly, the conversation was over. Murmuring something about hoping Katherine wakes up soon and for him to rest more, I backed out of the tent. Looking up at the cloudless sky, I felt tears prick my eyelids. Aaron doesn't trust me. He doesn't trust me anymore.

I have never felt so…alone. I was so far from home, facing a powerful foe, and didn't have anyone to rely on and to trust. Lucian and Rachel were my good friends, but they had each other, and I was the third wheel. Lionel was a good person, but after the argument last night I didn't know if our relationship could go back to what it was before. And Aaron, the boy who was always there for me, who was brave and kind and sweet, who I knew I could trust a hundred percent, had pushed me away.

I made my way to the top of a small hill that overlooked the entire campsite. I watched as soldiers went on with their daily activities. Lucian was training a group on the south side. Another group was practicing on the west side. I spotted Rachel and several other leaders greeting newcomers and expanding the camp so that everyone fit. What was my role here? Did I even belong here?

I don't know how long I stood there, lost in thought. I didn't even hear someone come up behind me.

"Indigo." At the sound of my name, I jumped a little and turned around. Lionel stood a little ways behind me, his hands behind his back. He looked uncomfortable. "I came to apologize for last night," he said, his eyes looking off to the side. "I overreacted, and I was rude to you. I'm sorry, Indy."

"Oh." I was caught off-guard. To be honest, I had already forgiven Lionel for his outburst. I could see why his actions were justified. "Apology accepted. There were things that I could've done better too. I'm sorry if my words hurt you."

Lionel shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I was mean to your friends, and I feel bad about it. I just…I just wanted to protect you. Everything I did, it was because I care about you, Indy." His cheeks turned pink at the last sentence.

His words hung in the air between us. Because I care about you, Indy. "I care about you too," I said softly. "Thank you, for looking out for me, Lio."

Lionel looked up, meeting my gaze. He smiled. "It's what I'm supposed to do, Indy. I can't let anything happen to you before we even begin the last battle. You promised to fight beside me."

I smiled back. Last night's argument was behind us now, and my worries had all dissipated like storm clouds do when the sun comes out.

Just then, a soldier ran up to us breathlessly. "Commander Lionel, Miss Indigo—Miss Rachel told me to tell you that Katherine has awakened."

"Katherine woke up?" I ran down the hill with Lionel following closely behind. I burst into the tent to see Lucian and Rachel already sitting by the foot of Katherine's cot. Aaron sat by Katherine's side, holding her hand. Katherine was propped up by pillows and looking around in disbelief.

"I still can't believe you guys are alive," she was saying. "It's a lot to take in."

"Katherine! You're okay." I smiled in relief. "How are your wounds?"

"They're pretty much healed, thanks to Rachel's magic, but I will still need to rest for a while. I hope they won't hinder me when we fight against Lord Victor." Katherine smiled at me, and then caught sight of Lionel standing awkwardly by the tent entrance. She tensed.

Aaron followed her gaze and stood up suddenly, striding over to Lionel in two large steps. Before anyone knew what was happening, Aaron had punched Lionel in the face. Lionel groaned, stumbling to the side. Aaron landed two more blows on Lionel's face and stomach.

"Aaron, stop!" I grabbed Aaron's arm, but he shook me off. I felt a flare of anger. "Aaron, what are you doing?!"

Lionel straightened and caught Aaron's wrist as Aaron's fist came flying towards him again. Blood was running down Lionel's face from his broken nose. Aaron's eyes were spitting fire. His other fist was ready.

Just when it seemed like a brawl would break out, Katherine's soft voice cut through the commotion. "Guys, let's not fight. Aaron, don't be so rash. Let's talk civilly first."

Aaron glared at Lionel and wrenched his arm from Lionel's grasp. "Hmph. Alright, Kath, whatever you say." He returned to Katherine's bedside but stood protectively in front of her. I pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at the blood on Lionel's face. "Are you alright? Is anything broken?"

"It's okay, I'm fine." Lionel took the handkerchief and tilted his face up to the ceiling, focusing on stopping the blood. "I deserved that. Sorry for being such a terrible person last night."

Aaron grunted in response, and I knew it would be a while before he forgave Lionel. Katherine looked unsure on how to respond. It was Lucian who broke the awkward silence. "Guys, I have one question I would really like to know the answer to. How did you two survive?"

"That's what we were going to ask you," Katherine said. "How did you three survive Lord Victor's bombing? What happened from then till now?"

"It's a long story," Rachel said. "Aaron, you might want to take a seat, because you're going to be standing for a long time."