Her paws didn't hurt as much anymore.

  Umbreon flexed her front left paw experimentally, testing the sensation. It was still a bit tender, but nothing like the sharp, constant pain that had plagued her for days after... after everything had gone wrong. The bandages made her paws feel funny, but she could tell her paws were getting better. It was all because of this human.

  The sleeping place that Lazarus had brought her to was strange but wonderful. Everything here smelled clean, not like the wild scents of the forest or the harsh smells that made her nose wrinkle when near the nurse. It smelled like Lazarus, like Mightyena, and like something else. It itches something in the back of her head, something familiar.

  She could hear him moving around the room, doing the things humans did in the morning. The sound of water, the rustling of the clothes he wore, the quiet hums and broken thoughts in whispers he made when he thought no one was listening. Sometimes he talked to himself, and she'd seen that before. Sally had done it too, though Sally's self-talk had been different. Hers was more, grumpy. His was warm and quiet.

  Lazarus's voice was always gentle, even when he was talking to himself.

  A soft thump from across the room told her that Mightyena had finished her morning stretch. The older Dark-type had been strange at first. So big, so powerful, yet Mightyena had never shown any aggression toward her. She never tried to claim the best spots near Lazarus or the warmest patches of sunlight. Instead, she'd positioned herself as a quiet guardian, always watching, always ready to step between Umbreon and any perceived threats.

  "Good morning, you two," Lazarus said, and Umbreon's ears perked up immediately. His voice had that particular warm quality it got when he was happy to see them. Not the forced cheer that Sally used to use when she was trying to hide her annoyance, but genuine pleasure. It was weird, Lazarus was so much easier for her to read than Sally was.

  Umbreon lifted her head from her paws and looked at him. He was crouched down near the sleeping area, already dressed in his daily coverings, with that expression on his face that she'd come to associate with breakfast time. Her stomach gave a soft rumble in response, and she saw his mouth curve upward.

  "Hungry girl?" he asked, reaching out slowly to stroke her head.

  She leaned into the touch automatically, her eyes closing as his fingers found that perfect spot behind her ears. She was hungry, but it could for a moment. When Sally used to pet her, it had felt nice, but this was different. Lazarus seemed to know exactly where to touch, exactly how much pressure to apply. His hands were warm and steady, and when he scratched just behind her ears like this, it made her want to melt into a puddle of contentment.

  She made a soft sound that wasn't quite a purr but wasn't quite a whimper either. A sound that meant 'yes, that's perfect, don't stop.'

  "I know, I know," he murmured, switching to scratch under her chin. "You're such a good girl, Umbreon. Such a brave and strong girl."

  The words made her chest feel warm and tight at the same time. Brave. Strong. She wasn't either of those things – she was small and scared and had run away when things got difficult instead of fighting back. But when Lazarus said it, when he looked at her with those kind eyes and spoke in that gentle voice, she almost believed it might be true.

  Maybe she was brave, just a little bit. She'd let him change her bandages yesterday without trying to hide, even though the funny-smelling stuff made her paws sting. That had taken all her courage, but she'd done it. For him.

  Mightyena approached with her usual measured pace, giving Umbreon a brief sniff before settling down nearby. The gesture was casual, but Umbreon had learned to read the subtle communications that passed between Mightyena and Lazarus. The older Pokémon was checking on her, making sure she was comfortable. Mightyena had told her to speak up if she felt unsafe. She said she'd bite whoever it was. It was reassuring.

  "How are those paws feeling today?" Lazarus asked, his hands moving to gently examine her front legs without trying to actually touching her paw pads. "Miss Joy wants to take another look at them today."

  Miss Joy. The pink-haired human who smelled like the funny stuff that made her paws sting. Umbreon's ears flattened slightly at the mention of her name. She understood, that Miss Joy was trying to help. Mightyena had explained it to her better than Lazarus did. Miss Joy was safe. Miss Joy helped hurt Pokémon feel better. When her leg was hurt Lazarus took her to a place just like this. After her leg was better.

  But understanding something and feeling comfortable with it were two very different things. Even if Mightyena says so.

  The pink-haired human's hands were gentle, and she spoke in soothing tones, but she still smelled like bitter and kind of gross. She still represented the sharp sting of treatment and the vulnerability of being examined by a stranger. And most importantly, she wasn't Lazarus.

  Lazarus had food. Lazarus gave the best ear scratches and belly rubs she'd ever experienced in her life. Even Sally's attempts at affection seemed clumsy and half-hearted compared to the way Lazarus did it. When he petted her, it felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold night. It felt like the safest place in the world.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  When he rubbed her belly, she could barely keep her eyes open. The sensation was so perfectly soothing that her whole body would go limp with contentment. Sometimes she would fall asleep right there in his lap, lulled by the rhythm of his hands and the steady beat of his heart.

  "I know you don't like going to see her, I don't much like doctors either." Lazarus said, as if he could read her thoughts. "But she's going to help make sure your paws heal properly. And I'll be right there with you the whole time, okay?"

  The promise settled some of her anxiety. Right there with her. That meant she wouldn't have to face the pink-haired human alone. That meant if she got scared or overwhelmed, Lazarus would be there to keep her safe.

  She looked up at him and made a small sound of agreement. Not quite ready, but willing to try. For him.

  "That's a brave girl," he said, and there was that word again. Brave. "Mightyena, you ready to head out?"

  The larger Pokémon stretched once more and moved toward the door, taking her usual position as advance scout. Everything about Mightyena was done with confidence and a protective alertness. She would make sure the path was safe, make sure no threats approached while Umbreon was being carried. At least when she wasn't being lazy like in the sleeping place.

  Being carried was still strange, but Umbreon had gotten used to it over the past few days. Lazarus was strong and careful, always making sure she was comfortable and secure in his arms. He never gripped too tightly or held her in positions that made her uncomfortable. And there was something deeply comforting about being held close to his chest, listening to his heartbeat, feeling the warmth of his body through his clothing.

  When he lifted her now, she settled against him immediately, pressing her face into the crook of his neck where his scent was strongest. There was something else there, something she'd only recently begun to notice. A kind of darkness that cloaked him, invisible to most but clear as day to her and apparently Mightyena too.

  It wasn't the cold, hostile darkness that she'd sensed from the humans who had chased her. This was warm, inviting, protective. It felt like a cave full of soft shadows, or the comforting darkness beneath a favorite hiding spot. It made her want to curl up against him and never leave.

  Mightyena had tried to explain it. The stuff that Lazarus said to the three scary kids wasn't too far off. He wasn't totally right but he was close.

  Lazarus had darkness. Not evil, despite what the mean humans believed, but the kind of gentle, understanding darkness that made Dark-types feel safe and accepted. It was why Mightyena had trusted him so quickly after her rescue from the trap. It was why she had felt so comfortable in his presence, even though she'd been terrified of every human she'd encountered since her abandonment.

  The walk to Miss Joy's desk passed quickly, with Lazarus maintaining a steady, soothing commentary about the things they passed. He told her about things that didn't make sense to her. But his voice was a constant, gentle presence that kept her anxiety at manageable levels.

  Miss Joy's examination was thorough but mercifully brief. The pink-haired human made soft, encouraging sounds as she checked each of Umbreon's paws, her touch professional but gentle. The antiseptic still stung, but nowhere near as badly as it had those first few days. Progress, as Lazarus called it.

  "She's healing beautifully," Miss Joy said, applying fresh bandages with practiced efficiency. "She should be able to walk normally again tomorrow. Another two or three and she'll be able to battle."

  Walk normally. The words should have filled Umbreon with excitement, but instead they brought a flutter of anxiety. When she could walk normally, when she was fully healed, what would happen then? Would Lazarus expect her to leave? Would he decide he'd done his duty as a rescuer and send her on her way?

  The thought made her press closer to his chest, seeking reassurance from his steady heartbeat and the warm darkness that surrounded him.

  "There we go," Miss Joy said, securing the last bandage. "All finished. You were such a good patient, Umbreon."

  Good patient. The praise was nice, but it wasn't the same as when Lazarus called her brave. Miss Joy's words were kind but... She wanted Lazarus to tell her it instead. She liked his voice much better. The false cheer that Joy used doesn't match how she feels. Even if she is feeling relieved Umbreon can tell when someone is faking their feelings. Lazarus doesn't fake it.

  The walk back to their sleeping place was peaceful, with Mightyena leading the way and Lazarus humming a soft tune as he carried her. The sound vibrated through his chest, and Umbreon found herself relaxing completely against him.

  Back in their room, Lazarus settled onto the sleeping area with her still in his arms. Mightyena joined them, though she immediately sprawled out across most of the available space in her usual fashion.

  "Bed-hogging fluffbag," Lazarus said with obvious affection, earning an amused huff from the larger Pokémon.

  He shifted Umbreon so she was sitting across from him on the soft surface, his hands resting gently on either side of her. There was something different in his posture now, something that made even Mightyena lift her head to look at him with sharp attention. She must have felt the flicker she saw in the darkness.

  The warm darkness around him seemed to shift and intensify, and Umbreon felt her own attention focus completely on his face. Something important was about to happen. She could feel it in the way the air seemed to change, in the way Mightyena's casual laziness transformed into alert interest.

  Lazarus sat quietly for a long moment, clearly lost in thought. His eyes had that distant look. Mightyena said he got like that when he was thinking. It lasted for a little bit but she was patient. She felt like he had something to say, but wasn't sure how he'd say it.

  Finally, he spoke.

  "Umbreon," he said, his voice soft but serious, "would you let me continue to take care of you? To be your friend and family? I will make you a promise that you'll never, ever be alone again. So long as I—"

  A sharp thump from Mightyena's tail against the sleeping surface interrupted him, and he paused, glancing at the larger Pokémon. A understanding passed between them, and Lazarus reached out to place a hand on Mightyena's side.

  "So long as we are around," he corrected while ruffling her fur. "You'll have a safe place to call home... if that's what you want."

  The words had stolen the breath from her lungs and making her heart race. They were offering her a home. A real home, with beings who cared about her, who would protect her, who would never abandon her for something as simple as the color of her fur or the typing that evolution had given her.

  Never be alone again? They'd be her home?

  She looked at him, seeing the gentle darkness that surrounded him, feeling the warmth and safety that radiated from his presence. Then she looked at Mightyena, who was watching her with patiently. The older Pokémon had been given a home with Lazarus too. She'd found a human who values her. That same human was offering to take her in permanently.

  There was no question, really. There had never been a question.

  Umbreon launched herself forward, curling up in Lazarus's lap with a soft sound of pure contentment. This, this was where she belonged. This was home. This was the most comfortable, safest, most perfect spot in the entire world... And it would always be hers.

  She felt his hands come down on her, careful and protective, and heard the quiet sound of surprise and delight that escaped him. Mightyena's tail thumped repeatedly against the sleeping surface in approval, and the warm darkness that surrounded Lazarus seemed to pulse with contentment.

  "I guess that's a yes," Lazarus said quietly petting her back.

  Yes. Yes to staying. Yes to being part of this strange, wonderful family. Yes to never being alone again.

  Umbreon pressed her face against his chest and purred – an actual purr, the first one she'd managed since her evolution. The sound was rusty and a bit gravely, but it was hers. It was the sound of a Pokémon who had found where she belonged.

  She had a new home... And she's never ever going to lose her home again.