Next time >just< K n o c k [Skitz]

Her fingers felt warm in his hand, and the male could not help but grin at the thought of his family growing, especially with the girl he now led through the streets of the stirring district. Parents woke their children for school, as dawn glowed across the horizon. A fresh layer of snow blanketed the streets, where the men stepped outside with thermouses full of coffee. Occasionally, one heavily clad man would watch the boy and the girl as they fled deeper into the heart of seven, shaking their heads, wondering what their life could be like if they'd taken Henry's initiative.

But he seemed to ignore them, keeping his head up, his eyes forward as they entered the industrial part where children were warned to never play, where occasionally a cold body would be pulled from between the pallets in the warehouses. He led her down a cold alley, glancing over his shoulder for any workers. "Don't tell anyone about it, alright? It's dangerous enough as it is." He pulled her through a rusted bit of chain link fence, tugging his newest charge inside.

His heart always raced when he pried away the paneling of the rotting building, and he nervously ran a hand through his dark locks as they squiggled inside the tiny space. "I know it doesn't look like much, but... This abandoned warehouse is our home."

They stepped into the building, lit currently only by the bit of sky that peeked from high above through rotting planks of wood, but if one looked around, they would notice a plethora of cushioins and even a string of holiday lights surrounding the circular area made by pushing shelving units together. "Each person has a bedroom, if you will. See those sheets?" he pointed around the room, guesturing to the ratty fabric hanging above each of the units, smiling happily. "Everyone gets their own space. That includes you. All the open curtains should be avaliable- It doesn't look like much, but it's yours, and it's warm. We should wait here for the others to arrive."

He laughed, his voice a deep, throaty purr. "Of course you may." He watched her, arms gently crossing over his chest. Her area was a small shelf, about three feet tall, six feet long, and five feet deep, with a twin sized cot mattress placed upon the shelving unit. Henry let her explore, instead, choosing to stand beside the entrance, waiting for his family.

The world around them woke, the district rising with the sun as slowly, others began trickling in. He nodded to each of them as they wandered through the living space, and to their own sheltered bunks. He waited, and counted until every one of his gang were in. Some bumped fists, some offered high fives. Others ignored him completely, too tired to move.

It was not until the last exhausted member wandered in that he finally abandoned his post, stretching his lanky form, collapsing on the largest pile of sheets and pillows in the direct center of the living area. It was his nest, naturally.

He began prying off the layers- first his heavy over coat, the ebony scarf, his black sweater, until he remained in the cargo pants and tank top he'd left in. He dragged a heavy bundle of blankets over his chest, and pried off his boots, stretching along his bed, dark eyes staring at a hole in the ceiling where the off-white sunlight filtered down.

His lips formed into a thin line, his dark eyes worriedly looking the newest addition over. "You are free to come and go as you please, so long as you check in and let someone know you're still alive and free." he said to her, his quiet voice only a few decibels louder than the sound of woolen blankets shifting as he threw them away.

His form cracked and creaked as he rose, bare feet carrying him to the lonely girl. Calloused fingers brought themselves to rest against Albany's pretty cheek; her soft skin seemed cold to the touch, and somewhere within the pit of his stomach, Henry felt the urge to comfort the girl. Not the way he cared for the younger ones, how he'd rub their backs and brush their hair, but something more.

This was something deeper. Strong arms wrapped tightly around the girl's shoulders, tugging her into his grip. A nervous twinge hit his chest, and after only a moment of awkward embracing, he released Albany. Just as he was about to apologize, Henry caught himself- he had done no wrong and there were no good reasons to feel such guilt. He was only attempting to make her comfortable after all.

He tangled his index finger in a lock of her ebony hair and gently tugged at the curl, watching it bounce back into place like a child with a new toy, curiosity burning deep in his heart. "You're entirely free now. You never have to go back, you never have to see them, unless you want to." His gaze fell, pushing into her dark pools of color, hands once more rising to pet her hair. Beams of sunlight shone high from overhead, casting their heavenly light upon her skin. She looked magnificent, like a terrified angel.

A shaky sigh slipped through his lips as his gaze softened, and he gently pulled away from the depressing contact. In that moment, Henry's mind began to rationalize- You've only just officially met her, she doesn't know you, you can't take care of her, she probably hates you, and on and on his list went. Goose pimples rose on his flesh from where he touched her, and he found himself biting the inside of his cheek to offset the feelings of warmth that shot up from his gut.