Lise shrieked again in frustration. “Do you know what it’s like to hear that your brother’s dead on a fucking news broadcast? Do you? Why didn’t one of you call me, you sons of whores!”

Maris’s patience with her never wavered. When he spoke, his tone was calm and soothing in spite of the bruises that were already forming on his face. “He’s not dead, Lise. He’s not. I swear it, sweetie.”

Finally, Annalise started calming down. “W-what?”

As Hauk came into the room to check on the commotion, Maris dragged her toward the bed. “He’s sleeping. See…” He led her hand to touch Darling’s upper lip so that she could feel his breath against her skin.

Her tears fell even harder. The immense relief on her face once she realized her brother wasn’t dead made Zarya’s own eyes water.

Maris released her.

Lise turned on him and slapped him. “If you ever do that to me again, I swear I will gut you for it!”

Still, Maris didn’t react to her blow. “I’m extremely sorry. It was a thoughtless thing to do, but I was more worried about Darling than calling you with the news, especially since he wasn’t killed. I didn’t think about the media reporting it, never mind them getting it wrong, and you finding out about the attack that way. It won’t ever happen again. I promise.”

Lise finally pulled Maris against her and held him close. She buried her face in his neck. “I’m so sorry, Mari. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was so scared. I thought he was gone and that I’d be left alone. He’s all I have, you know?”

“Yes, I do, baby. He’s all I have, too.”

Sniffing, Lise squeezed him tight. “I love you. You still love me?”

“Not at the moment. I’m rather in pain. But after it fades, I’ll probably be dumb enough to forgive you for it. Just don’t do it again.”

She kissed his cheek that was red from her punch. Laying her hand over it, she smiled at him. “What are you bitching about, anyway? You’re from a warrior culture. Phrixians live to fight and clobber each other.”

He arched a regal brow that said she was insane and wrong. “Hello? Gay man, here. I don’t like the brutality, hence why I surrendered my commission.” He turned her to face Hauk. “Next time, slap him. I think he actually gets off on it.”

Hauk smirked. “Thanks, Mar. I will remember that.”

“Am I wrong?” Maris challenged.

“No, but you don’t have to tell everyone. You make me sound like I’m sick or something.”

Smiling at their teasing, Lise wiped the tears from her face before she went to Hauk and gave him a hug, too. “How are you, D?”

“Better than you. You going to make it, little sis?”

“Maybe. I don’t like being scared like this. You could have called, too, you know?”

“I’m pleading the Maris defense. I didn’t even think about it. Sorry.”