You don't get it back when you die.

Butcher's arms closed around Nils and he held the baby protectively to his chest as he crashed into the branches of a tree. He huddled so the child wouldn't get impaled on a branch, and absorbed the full blunt of the blows.

Ryland adapted to the situation and thrashed, striking at Mikey and generally refusing to stay still.

Butcher breathed unevenly through pain and nerves. "Hopefully we're stuck, just don't move too much." He tried to follow his advice so they wouldn't fall out of the tree.

Ryland eyes widened slightly. "I'm not touching your fucking baby. How do you know Andrew even caught it?"

Butcher opened his eyes wider when he heard the branch under them make a cracking sound. He turned slightly so Nils was on top of his chest and curled to form a protective shell for the baby once more. "I love you," he whispered.

Ryland took advantage of the moment to strike violently at Mikey's chest to throw him off so he could make his escape.

Butcher felt the branch jerk downwards and checked his grip on Nils. I hope I don't start healing myself if it hurts too badly.

Ryland assessed his injuries as he ran. He wasn't as badlly off as he was before but he'd have to be more cautious about dealing with Russell in the future.

Butcher felt and heard the branch snap and he fell for a short distance until his wing got stuck on a different branch. He didn't know whether it belonged to the same tree or not and he didn't care as he screamed in pain.

Butcher stared at Mikey as he slipped a little lower, the branch tearing his wing in the process. He kept his hold on Nils even though he wanted to let go and free his wing from the branch.

"Okay," Butcher said quietly and willed his arms to stay in their current position.

"Is he okay?" Butcher whispered, grimacing in pain.

"I'm sorry. I should have been paying more attention. I made myself vulnerable." Butcher hissed in pain.

Butcher dropped the bag he had been carrying to the floor, surprised it was still attached to his arm. "I think I can heal it myself." He smiled up at his lover and sat up to hug him.

"I went to a store," Butcher blushed. "And I got some things... and some food for Mike since I thought he didn't have any. I stole a shopping cart and the cashier thought Nils was cute."