Vernon woke as though he were floating.
Not drifting upward or sinking - just suspended, held in place by something gentle and warm. His first thought was that he'd overslept. His second was that he felt good. Better than he had in weeks.
There was warmth in his stomach, steady and comforting, like a hearth fire burning low.
Then he noticed the other sensation.
Something sat in his chest.
Not pain. Not pressure. Just presence.
Vernon opened his eyes.
The cave ceiling blurred above him, edges soft and wavering as if seen through water. When he lifted his hand, it moved slower than expected, trailing behind his thoughts. He blinked, then laughed quietly.
"...That's new."
He sat up carefully, half expecting dizziness - but none came. His body felt light, refreshed, almost buoyant. The warmth followed him easily.
The thing in his chest did not.
It stayed exactly where it was.
At the cave entrance, Melian sat on a stone with her legs folded beneath her, hair glowing faintly in the morning light. She wasn't looking outside.
She was staring at him.
No - through him.
Derek stood several paces away, arms crossed, posture tight. The distance between him and Melian was deliberate.
Vernon shifted his feet against the stone.
Both of them reacted at once.
"You're awake," Derek said, already moving closer. "How do you feel?"
Vernon took a moment to think.
He flexed his fingers. Rolled his shoulders. Took a deep breath.
"...Like I could touch the sky," he said.
Derek paused. "...That's not an answer I can work with."
Vernon smiled faintly. "It's the best one I've got."
"How long were you out?"
"a day," Derek replied. "And a night."
Vernon frowned. "That long?"
"You didn't stir," Derek said. "Not once."
Vernon glanced down at his chest instinctively. "It felt like I just closed my eyes."
Melian spoke softly. "You were... very still."
Vernon looked at her. "Is that bad?"
She tilted her head. "Not always."
Derek exhaled slowly. "Do you feel pain?"
"No."
"Tightness?"
"No."
"Anything strange?"
Vernon hesitated. "Something's... there."
Melian's gaze sharpened.
Bruce's voice cut in between them. "You gonna keep standing there or help me count?"
Bruce was already on the ground, halfway through his push-ups, arms shaking. Sweat dripped from his chin onto the stone.
Derek glanced over. "You're not even at your warm-up."
Bruce groaned. "I know. That's the problem."
Vernon watched him for a moment, then turned back to Derek. "I want to train physically too."
Derek stiffened. "Vernon-"
"I know," Vernon said quickly. "Those without Qi can't really improve beyond a basic athlete."
"That's not what I said."
"That's what you meant."
Derek studied him. "Then why ask?"
Vernon met his eyes. "Because standing still feels worse."
Melian's gaze flicked sharply inward.
Bruce finished his set with a grunt and rolled onto his back. "If it helps," he said, panting, "he's stubborn even when he's asleep."
Vernon snorted.
"...Fine," Derek said at last. "But don't expect miracles."
"That's fine," Vernon replied. "I have plans of my own."
Melian said nothing.
But something behind her eyes moved.
By late afternoon, Bruce was shaking.
"Three minutes," Derek said calmly.
Bruce's legs trembled violently.
"Three minutes and four seconds," Derek added.
Bruce collapsed forward with a groan, then laughed breathlessly. "Say it again."
"You held it," Derek said. "You've crossed the line."
Bruce lay there for a second. "So... now what?"
Derek hesitated. "...We test something."
Bruce sat up immediately. "Qi?"
"Once," Derek said. "Just circulation."
Bruce swallowed. "Okay."
Derek demonstrated, moving slowly through the first stance. "Watch my breathing."
Bruce nodded.
Derek moved through three stances - then stumbled.
He laughed. "It's been a while. Give me a moment."
Bruce grinned. "You're rusty."
"Quiet."
On the second run, Derek completed all fifteen stances, breathing controlled and precise. On the final breath, icy vapor spilled from his lips, faint sparks snapping in the air.
Bruce stared. "...That's still cool."
"Your turn."
It took Bruce two attempts.
The second was almost flawless.
"Again," Derek said softly.
Bruce closed his eyes.
When he finished, frost bloomed in the air.
Derek inhaled sharply. "...Ice."
Bruce blinked. "That's good, right?"
Derek smiled. "That's very good, you've inherited it after me."
That night, they ate until they couldn't move.
Melian sat beside Vernon and Bruce, legs swinging slightly.
"This is nice," Bruce said. "We should almost lose control more often."
Derek groaned from across the fire. "Don't even joke."
Vernon smiled, watching the flames.
Later, Derek walked away alone.
Morning came quietly.
Vernon woke first.
Melian lay curled atop his desk. Bruce snored on the floor.
Outside, Derek was putting out the fire.
"Take today off," Derek said without looking up.
Vernon hesitated. "I feel fine."
"Overworking yourself is foolish," Derek replied. "Rest matters."
Vernon nodded - then turned back inside to study his mothers notes.
Derek watched him go.
"...Just like your mother," he muttered.
And for the first time in a long while-
He smiled without it being short lived.