#brom LOVES throwing things at the Trauma Twins right now

[modern-inheritance]

S.O.B. Snippet/Moment: Book Exchange (Modern Inheritance Short/Snippet)

TW: Person in alcohol withdrawal being angry at the people helping them.

“...Didn’t know what you were reading before you lot left Carvahall.” Arya lowered to a crouch and slid the stack of books towards him. “Grabbed a couple that you used to like. A few that were similar.” She didn’t meet his eye when she looked up, but her brows tilted in that hopeful little rise that was so recognizable from all those years ago. That stupid little nervous grin. 

The elf stood and stepped back when Brom shuffled forward and grabbed the stack with a grunt. His hands still shook, knocking over the paperbacks on top and clumsily rifling through the handful of hardcovers. Poetry. History. Tactics. Folklore. He would find something to keep his mind busy, Arya was sure. She could feel him glaring daggers still, burning gaze still just this side of unrecognizable. But far more calm. 

It was progress. 

When he didn’t respond further Arya dipped her head. “We’re both here tonight, if you need anything.”

She had just opened the door halfway when a raspy, low voice softly called her name. “Arya?”

Arya turned back. Talking to her? And using her name instead of some combination of slur and reference? Progress indeed!

Which was exactly what he hoped she would think.

The bound corner of one of the dense paperbacks impacted just over her eyebrow with a deceptively soft crack, pages snapping against each other like whip cracks with the force of the blow.  

Enraged yelling followed the slam of the door at her back. Cursing, more at herself than anything else, Arya did her best to ignore the warm blood oozing between the fingers that covered the burning mark blossoming on her skin and stormed down the hall.