An Understanding

John was seated back inside what was quickly becoming the de facto meeting/recovery room for his royals, and yes they were his now. He had to accept that along with the responsibility for all of their actions. He grimaced as he laid back into his freshly changed bedding courtesy of a handful of children being watched over by the slightly aged woman who had led them back out of the room with gentle efficiency, denoting a good deal of experience as she passed with a small smile directed at him.

He'd accepted her silent gratitude with a small nod as he carried the still resting River, the small child absolutely refusing to leave his side no matter what. Not that he was against it, his hands even now were rubbing up and down her back as she slept peacefully against his chest.

"A king is someone who doesn't need any overt displays to get his point across, nor understand his people. The smallest of actions carry the greatest weight for royalty, John. You must remember this, always."

The words the experienced headmaster had offered during their meeting/lesson continued to rattle inside his scrambled noggin as he stared off into space, shifting slightly to place the toddler between himself and Sera when th-his Queen had laid beside him and continued her glowing eyed stare at River and her king, refusing to stop her silent vigil even as she snuggled into both of them.

"You dislike the idea of being royalty and taking charge because no one has ever shown you how to do so. A king may be ruthless, cold, and unforgiving of the smallest slights or inconveniences. Or he may be compassionate and strong enough to make a future for his people. It has always been your choice."

Champagne orbs brightened in an instant to meet the blue eyed blonde staring at him, for once patiently. "Arlo"

"John…"

"What needs to happen before the sun goes down.", John made his decision.

"No man is a nation. No man is an island. And no man is perfect; you must trust your judgment in times of crisis John, hesitation helps no one. It saves no one. However you are not alone, that was the entire reason the royals were even first accepted; so a king did not have to do everything with their own two hands. As much as you are capable, they will be there to catch you when you stumble."

"The people.", the blonde said without hesitation, his eyes narrowed in thought. "You've defended them against a horde as large as the first night by yourself while were out of commission." John could feel the distaste Arlo had for his prior condition, and startled slightly under the realization that this was his Jack, the next in line after Sera and him. And from the way he gave a small jerky nod and small slump in his shoulders , the ex king had realized that his own authority and responsibility had finally been acknowledged by his king.

Amber orbs looked down to find tired dilated blue as Sera reached out and slowly pried the small girl away from John. The queen nearly wrapped herself around the girl as she closed her eyes and finally settled.

"You've proven yourself to be strong enough to keep them safe and things in order but they'll need more than that.", he continued as he relaxed and fell into the roll the headmaster had said Jack's had always meant to have been; an advisor to the king and the person people went to before things became bad enough for the king to have to handle. "They need to know you. And us as well."

John nodded as he brushed a gentle hand through River's raven hair, gently pressing his lips into the crown of her head for a kiss as he stood up to take stock of the people inside the room; Blyke and Isen were nearly falling asleep where they stood beside Arlo's bed. Cecile stood next to his bed surprisingly while the other girls were frozen on the bed next to his. They seemed to be unable to tear their eyes away from the child Sera was keeping out of sight with her body, which brought a small lopsided grin to his face. A huff of amusement quietly echoed through the room as Cecile visibly bristled as she ripped her eyes away from the touching scene, shock flooding her system for but a moment under his new empathy until it was crushed to meet his gaze with her confused glare.

The ever swirling mess of emotions inside of her were… chaotic at best and beautiful at worst, however he tore his attention away from his new sense to gesture at the fading light the window allowed in and allowed his eyes to narrow a fraction; a question and challenge all in one. He wasn't disappointed. Her amethyst gaze lit up enough to match his own for but a second, petering out to glow slightly brighter than usual, confirming what John had sensed; she was the only other one in the room capable of fighting right now.

Her chin lifted slightly as she continued to meet his gaze, "I'm ready to go." The any time remained unspoken but felt. He ever so slowly reached over to brush magenta bangs out of his queen's eyes as she sleepily opened them to stare at him, somehow bringing the girl that much closer in her embrace. A conversation happened then, passing between the two, until finally her eyes drifted shut as she was met with Morpheus once more.

'I'll be back.'

'Don't leave.'

'You can't escape from me anymore, you're stuck with me.'

'Good.'

'Sleep.'

'Don't lose.'

'I won't.'

"The people need to know us, but if they want to feel safe then we all need to be at our best. It can wait one more night, Arlo.", the raven haired king said as he stretched his unclothed torso and limbs, white slowly being overtaken once more by liquid amber.

A clenched fist and jaw was the Jacks only answer as he once more met the eyes of his king, taking in the calm and steady look. He relaxed slowly as he realized that it wasn't another impulse that John had surrendered himself to but a thought out action he had decided on. A small relieved nod was all he offered as he slowly fell back into his bed, with a glance at the other two tired boys to confirm the order.

The silent Healer and Sera's older sister once more sat in the window sill, simply taking in the room as John began to make his way over with Cecile right beside him, eyes focused on the setting sun and the mass of black that it illuminated. "Claire.", he called towards the green haired girl who's eyes had never strayed from him since he'd walked out of that office.

Red eyes narrowed in focus and exhaustion from using her ability so many times back to back. "Something big is coming, I can't see it.", a grimace was felt by all in her frustrated voice, but John knew what that meant, she had always had trouble seeing the future when someone strong was involved because they could change it whenever they wanted to after reaching a certain threshold. The only reason she'd ever been able to see him at all was because of his mother's seal. "It's not as bad as the lion.", a small comfort in an uncertain world but it was enough.

John nodded as he met Darren's eyes again, patiently waiting for the answer to the question he didn't have to ask. "She's good to go, for now.", the doctor said with a scowl as he pulled his girlfriend closer to him under amber light was obvious, after all what kind of healer wanted to send his patients back to be hurt again? "A few more nights of rest will everyone else right as rain. But your aura…?"

"A few more days of just using the basics and I'll be better than ever.", his words were meant to brush the topic over as he turned toward the door with Cecile in tow, only to be stopped by the pink haired electric cinnamon roll, Remi. She stood in his way and stared up into his eyes the same way she had when she'd tried to talk him out of finishing his dethroning of Wellston's Royals, determination and hope bursting within her heart in a symphony only he could hear.

A few breaths passed in silence as he looked her over, slightly battered but leagues ahead of most others in the room, including the exhausted form of Elaine who had crashed after they'd returned to the room.

…

…

…

Another decision was made.

"You know how to make a rail gun, pinky?", he smirked as he made the reference, the small woman visibly bristled for a moment before settling into a pout as fell into step beside them, knowing that John had placed her on overwatch.

"I'm not that short.", was the seventeen year old five' five girls only response, looking up at the five' eleven eighteen year old king. Her body wouldn't be able to keep up if she did any kind of face to face so she would have to make use of a electricity powered individuals deadliest attack.

"Then let's go."

Notes: Guess who's back viewers, tho I have no idea why or how you'd still be here but I am back. Sorry for the long break, had to pull double shifts at work for the last few months since Christmas and couldn't find any kind of motivation to write but i just couldn't leave this alone anymore. It was physically hurting me not to get some ideas down. So let me know what you guys think. I'm trying my best here but i need feedback review, comment give me something to work with.