Land Down Under (KJDarKnight & Treasure)

"He's not my husband" Pepper corrected "basically family though" she looked at Peter again "stay here with Gray ok..I'll be ok sweetie" she kissed his head again before he let go of her arm and latched on to Gray instead
 
Gray led Peter over to one of the moderately comfortable couches and sat down. He put his arms around him and held him close. He knew in that moment that if he had to, he would go so far as to ensure Peter was taken away from Pepper rather than let him stay in that situation. It was not a happy choice, but how long until Allen turned his fists on Peter? If Pepper would not - could not - keep him away, then Gray would do what he could. But... perhaps there were other ways to protect them if the authotiries couldn't. Ways that he would have to ponder on conrefully before taking action.
 
Peter curled against him, scared and confused he clung on to Gray until he fell asleep.

Eventually Pepper was lead back out, split brow stitched up, the edges of a bandage just visible above the collar of her shirt and both wrists wrapped in soft bandages. She wished her hair was longer so she could hide behind it but she didn't so everyone could see her face and bruised neck. Her shame written on her like a billboard
 
"You should take a couple of days off if you can, and here are some pamphlets for places you can go to for help," the nurse was saying as they discharged Pepper.

Gray looked up, smiling in relief when he saw Pepper. He'd been afraid she would be hurt too badly to be allowed to leave. He nudged Peter's shoulder and signed, "Be gentle," before pointing to his mother.
 
Pepper nodded, shoulder fallen in defeat. She felt like a failure physically and emotionally.

Peter rubbed his eyes, confused a moment but then he saw her and got up and ran to her and hugged her legs again. "Hey honey" she spoke softly and stroked his hair with her free hand before looking over at Gray. They had wanted her to stay for observation but she refused. Insisting she needed to be with her boy
 
Gray gave them a moment before joining them. He touched her shoulder lightly and signed, "Are you sure you should not be staying?" His eyes were worried as he studied her closely.
 
"I'm sure" she answered "this place makes me anxious. I'd never he able to rest" she answered. "Can we go? People are staring..."
 
Wherever we won't be in your way" she answered, holding Peters hand as they walled out of there. She wasn't sure why she got so anxious there but she felt relieved as soon as they were out
 
"Come to work with me," Gray led the way, keeping an eye out for any trouble. He wanted to keep an eye on Pepper.
 
Pepper nodded and followed his lead, falling silent again until they got to his place of work. "Where would you like us?" She asked, in other words. Where would be out of the way enough for him to do his job
 
"Make yourself comfortable. We do not have to be here long," Gray tried to assure her. He moved around them, quickly setting things up. "Peter, what are you learning in school?"
 
Pepper found a spot in the corner where she thought she wouldn't bother his work. Understandably she was not in the most talkative mood. Not the nest day for her. Beaten, "yelled" at and humiliated. She wanted to just disappear.

"We're learning a lot in mechanics" he answered " like what mamma does" the schools here taught practical skills from a young age so they could keep the city functioning. Peter was already ahead of his age group by two grades. A very smart little boy
 
"Do you want to do what your mama does?" Gray encouraged before checking one of the settings. He reached into a little cubby under the bench and pulled out a blanket that looked way too incredibly fluffy to have fit in the small space. He stood and moved over to fling the blanket around Pepper's shoulders.
 
Pepper had sort of checked out, staring down at the floor so she jumped a bit when the blanket was thrown around her shoulders. She looked up and offered a small smile of thanks.

"Mm I don't know. I don't think it will be challenging enough and then I wouldn't be able to go to the surface anymore" Peter answered
 
Gray smiled at Pepper and secured the blanket around her before returning to his chair. "How about making something like a dwelling up on the surface?" he suggested.
 
Pepper only nodded to him as she snuggled into the warm fluffy blanket. she watched the boys but didn't say anything still, she just, wanted to sleep

"You mean like Mathias? He is only allowed there because of his job" he sighed "you know the rules about going to the surface are pretty strict" bringing things down from the surface was pretty strict too but it didn't stop people, usually small trinkets were overlooked though, like the gift Misty had gotten for Gray. it was surprising they had allowed the top dwellers inside at all probably only because of what they had done to help their crew
 
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Gray nodded. "I know, but we cannot live underground forever. Some us will be fine, but..." He shrugged. "The surface used to be even more dangerous than it is now. Far, far more dangerous. The rules were to keep people safe, and they still are, but sometimes people get so focused on staying safe, they no longer grow as people. Does that make sense?"

~~

Meanwhile, Lynna was on her way down the hospital corridors, trying to figure out how to find Misty. She was down to opening random doors and looking in as for some reason she couldn't find any nurses.
 
Peter nodded "that's what Mathias says too. It's why he is working so hard to make connections with the top dwellers" Peter explained "but obviously not all of them are nice.."

--

Misty was in the same room she had been, Mathias since been returned to his room.mathias had written down some of the top dwellers language for her to study so she was sitting up again working on it
 
Not everyone was nice down here, either, but Gray just nodded. "Mathias does important work, but we still could not live up there as we are. That is why your work would be important, too, to make habitats for us to live in."

~~

Badru sat with his eyes closed now that the room was empty, but they opened a few seconds before Lynna opened the door.
"Oh, sor-" she started to say automatically, pulling back, then stopped short. "Oh! Finally! Hey, Misty. I've been looking everywhere for you!" she grinned, coming in.
 
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