It took both Andy and Joe to hold Sebastian still while Nicky set his fractures. He didn't scream or lash out; instead he tried to curl in on himself away from the pain, pleading deliriously for it to stop.

"It's enough, Steven! I promise it's enough! I'm your good boy, I'll do it for you, always, just please make her give me the pain stuff.. "

Nile carded her fingers through his hair.

"You're doing so good, honey. Almost done."

As they finished up disinfecting and bandaging the wounds, casting and wrapping a sling around his arm, Sebastian sighed and gingerly drew Joe down to him. Chapped lips pressed to Joe's throat; a submissive's kiss. A promise of loyalty and unspoken offering of gratitude. Joe kissed the top of his head as he gathered him up.

"Time for bed, sweet one."

Glancing around the room that had been designated as his, Sebastian seemed confused but too exhausted to struggle. Joe easily wiped him down with a wet cloth and changed him into some well-worn sleep pants and a sweatshirt. Then he carefully propped him up in bed and covered him with several spare quilts. As thin as he was, Sebastian had no natural protection from the cold. Suddenly finding himself warm, comfortable and in much less pain really seemed to drive home that he was safe and among people he could trust. He was out like a light in moments. Joe tucked the blankets higher up his chest and left a dim lamp on for him as he went to find the others.

Nile and Andy were sitting at the table watching across the kitchen as Nicky cooked. The ladies were sharing sips from a bottle of vodka, and Nile offered it to Joe.

"So how does an omega even get that bad? Like, shouldn't his Alpha be able feel through the bond that he's suffering?"

"Bond neglect," Nicky chimed in, chopping up carrots as if they'd personally wronged him, "it's rare, but not unheard of. Usually in cases where the Alpha dies or is otherwise separated from their bonded, but it can occur in situations of abuse also. The bond is not nurtured, but neglected, used against the omega, and it withers and dies. An omega can quickly become very, very ill when the bond is depleted. It is lucky we found Sebastian when we did; I very much doubt he'd have lasted the night."

Andy took a swig, mulling that over.

"You think this 'Steven' was his Alpha?"

"If he was, he was a shitty one. But that's to be discovered when he wakes. Come crush the garlic for me, sorrelina?"

The stew soon filled the cabin with delicious smells. A second pot contained rice cooked down in bone broth to a thin, watery gruel. Easy to digest for a starving omega. Joe brought the bowl, some pain medicine and water in to Sebastian. The omega blinked awake at the clack of the tray on the nightstand. Joe perched gently on the edge of the bed, palming his brow and peering into his eyes.

"You're not as hot as before, that's progress. Are you here with us, little brother?"

Again, that wan smile twitched Sebastian's lips.

"I like when you call me that. Easier to tell... what's real."