Sight Unsight

Part 6

Adrien sighed in defeat as he wandered back into the living room.

"Well, my room has officially been destroyed..." Then he paused. "Where did mom go? And Aunt Kim for that matter?"

"Mara dragged her off to a back room." I said. "They have been whispering about Vins and us for a while now."

"Hmm... anything good?"

"Not really. It's mostly just a recap of everything that happened since we got here. No idea why they felt the need to go back there and take. I know what they're saying."

"Oh. Maybe they wanted something like the illusion of privacy, then? Since they're talking about it, you wanna tell me what happened after Vins took control? I haven't a clue what went on and no one seems to be telling me."

I yawned before responding. "Nothing much happened. Well... That's a lie, I guess. Vins healed me. I'm really tired though."

"I can see that, but why? That demon never does anything without a price. Usually a very painful one."

"He's not a demon." I said immediately and Adrien went still.

"...What?"

"I'm serious, Adrien. Vins is not a demon." I said, insistent. "He's a spirit. A land God."

There was a long silence, before Adrien spoke quietly. "How would you know that, Kaine? Even mom and Aunt Kim couldn't figure out what he is, not for lack of trying, only that he is evil."

"He wasn't like that in the beginning." I replied. "When I looked into his mind, I saw the real him. Before the corruption and hatred. Before he was tainted by humans. He was neutral, if not good. Oh, did you know he's one of those beings for whom names hold power?"

"You... looked into his mind... Kaine, how are you even sane right now? That was a stupid thing for you to do!" Adrien sounded furious. He seemed to have missed my question. I doubt he even heard me after I said 'looked into his mind.'

"I... I... It wasn't on purpose! I felt something and searched it out. It was coming from your bedroom, so... I was curious... I looked! Only looked! Besides, the minute I touched his mind, Vins shielded it. Toned it down! There wasn't any danger!"

"If it was shielded, how did you look into his mind?" Adrien was still furious.

"When he healed me! Our minds linked for an instant. I have no idea how or even why, but they did! I felt him in my mind as I was in his. I am fine." I defended.

That shocked him. "You linked minds? As in, saw each other's memories?"

"M-maybe." I hedged, feeling like he was going to explode or something.

Oddly, he was thoughtful instead. All that fury vanished. "Hmm..."

"What?" I was curious now.

"...Nothing." He changed the subject. "You never did tell me what his price was."

"Oh, that. Nothing much. Just a promise."

"What promise? You shouldn't promise anything to a creature like that." He said harshly. Well, there was that fury again.

"Jeez... Does it matter?" I could feel his glare. "Apparently, it does. Fine. I promised to stay with you guys. To be the balance for you and Vins. Not really sure how that works, honestly, but Vins said I've already been doing it, so I guess I just have to stay with you guys and be me?"

"Our balance?" He muttered. "What does that mean?"

I shrugged. "Don't know. He mentioned something about staving off madness? And sharing my empathic powers?"

"Hmm... Odd way to put it. Are you sure he mentioned me?"

"Yup. He specifically said your name." Then I remembered something. "He also promised to heal me and protect me from future pain. Think that means I'll see Vins more?"

"I have no idea." He didn't sound too happy about that either.

My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly and he chuckled, much to my embarrassment.

"Sounds like its time to make some food. Anything you want?" He headed into the kitchen.

"Anything's fine." I replied, sitting up and following him. I didn't get four steps before tripping over a bag that someone left on the floor and crashing to the ground with a loud bang. "Ow. What the..."

"Kaine?" Adrien called. "You ok?"

"Yeah. Just having a little difficultly navigating the room. Who's bag is this?" I held up my attacker for Adrien to inspect.

"Looks like mom's purse."

"Ah." I dropped it back where I found it.

Suddenly, classical music filled the room and I felt my sight sharpen. Sighing in relief, I headed into the kitchen without further mishap, stepping around several more hazards.

"That better?" Adrien asked, chopping something up.

"Much. Thanks." I said and he hummed his acknowledgement.

The smell of food made my stomach growl again. It felt like it was eating itself in the absence of any other sustenance. Man, I'm hungry. I thought.

"So, what are we having?"

"Grilled cheese."

"Really?" I said, incredulous.

"You said anything is fine. What's wrong with grilled cheese?" He demanded.

I hurried to respond. "Nothing. Nothing at all. I just thought it was odd."

"And why is grilled cheese, a staple food in any house, odd to you?"

"Oh, that's not what's odd. What's odd is that you are making it."

"Why?" He growled.

"I have never, in the entire time I have known you, seen you cook anything so mundane."

He grumbled under his breath.

"In fact, I didn't even know you knew how to make anything that wasn't considered a gourmet food. The universe is full of surprises and infinite possibilities."

That finally managed to get a laugh out of him. "Yeah, well. It's fast and I'm pretty sure we are both starving at this point."

"I smell food." Said a voice behind me. "Got any for your poor old Aunt Kim?"

Adrien snickered. "You are neither poor nor old, but yes, I am making extra for you and mom."

"Excellent! What are we having?" She sounded excited. Obviously, I wasn't the only one that enjoyed Adrien's cooking.

"Grilled cheese." I said.

There was a pause, then less excited. "Odd."

I started laughing and Adrien sighed. Mara chose that moment to come in.

"Food?" She asked, hopefully.

"Yes and before you ask, it's grilled cheese. Don't you dare say 'odd' too." Adrien growled.

That got snickers out of Kim and me.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Mara replied, grinning as she set out plates in front of everyone and Adrien set a sandwich on each along with a plate of more grilled cheese in the middle of the table.

I bit into my sandwich and paused. He had done something to it. I chewed thoughtfully, tasting all the flavors before I figured out what he did. Trust Adrien to make even a grilled cheese sandwich differently from other people.

"Is that avocado and tomato?" I asked in delight. It really was good.

"Yup." He said sounding smug. "With mozzarella cheese."

"Mmmm.... so good!" Said Kim. "I could eat a million of these."

"Agreed." Mara chimed in.

We all scarfed down the food.