#no this time we actually decided to make the tip a seperate charge even though it never was before

[stopfunkinwmyheart]

I'm done ordering uber eats. they forgot my queso 2 orders ago. my last order they double charged me for my tip. I noticed right away, contact them, "nah that was ur total it just took it later" I know this isn't the case because I looked at the total before I bought the shit. I talk to 3 guys. third guys name is pushkar and he just hangs up the conversation, I reconnect and get him again and he's just ignoring me so I'm talking shit to him. finally I'm all "okay when you're selling street meat again don't be surprised, pushkar." connect with another guy. "nah it's chill brody u just buy so much stuff" "can I see a receipt" very clearly double tip, and I send him pics of the receipt and my bank transactions. for like 4 dollars. it's wild that people pay all the money they do to get uber eats every day and I guarantee pushkar is doing the same shit to all of u.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt.4

Lance kept the rear view mirror on the two strangers in the back. The shorter one of the two was unfairly hot. Lance might never have had sex, out of fear of losing self control, the fact he was monster, and he didn’t know if he was going to knock some poor stranger up with some half vampire kid, but he knew well enough that the man was edging on his type. Untalkative, the man had his arms crossed, hand clutching the raspberry slushy Pidge had forced upon him. He looked as impressed to be in Lance’s car, as Lance was to have him there.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what is it that you three do that has you out so late at night?”

Lance did mind. Thanks to Pidge these two strangers had been committed to memory for the rest of his undead life

“Man, you don’t want to get Pidge started...”

Hunk was also uneasy. He’d found his way into the bag of chocolate eclairs, the pile of wrappers now more than the chocolates left

“Oh? Pidge?”

���We’re paranormal investigators. You’ve heard all about Garrisons blood past... well, we’re going to be the first to capture it all on film”

Shiro raised an eyebrow, Lance accidentally meeting his eyes in the mirror, quickly averting his gaze back to the road

“Oh, but Lance is a lawyer... He’s the serious one who doesn’t believe in ghosts”

Thanks for that Pidge, now Shiro’s attention was on him

“You’re a lawyer?”

“Yep. Got the fancy piece of paper and everything”

“Wow. What kind of law do you practice?”

“Family”

Yeah, Lance knew his manners were lacking, he didn’t need Pidge kicking the back of his chair like she did

“Ah. That must be tough”

“Some days are worse than others, but it is what it is. What do you two do?”

It was on the tip of Lance’s tongue to mention the photography thing, but being a dumb human meant they didn’t always remember what was said

“That’s right, you said your brother was into photography?”

Aaaaand the attention was back on Pidge

“Yeah, Keith likes to take photos, it’s more a hobby than anything. I’ll save you the details and just say I’m in finance. Not terribly interesting”

Great. A finance guy right next to the registered hacker of the group...

“Sounds boring”

Shiro snorted a laugh. Lance cursing mentally that he now had Keith’s name in his head

“It has its moments. So you guys are into the paranormal? Ever see anything?”

“Not yet. But you never kno-ooow. Watch where you’re driving!”

Turning onto the dirt road that lead to his house, Lance could have probably been gentler on the ditch. Each year the council filled the damn thing up, only for it to all erode away with the first rains of the year

“If you’re not used it by now, you never will be”

“That’s because you can’t drive for shit”

“It sounds to me like you want to walk home in the morning”

“I’ll be good”

Lance’s lips betrayed him with a smile. Pidge would never “good”, her rebellious behaviour was just another thing about her to love

“Yeah, yeah. You’ve told me that a hundred times and I’m still waiting”

“Oh, shut it, dad”

“If I was your dad, you’d be grounded for life”

“That’s fine. People suck anyway”

“With no wifi”

Pidge lunges forward in her chair, an arm coming around him in a hug

“I’ll be good! Please don’t take my wifi away”

“As if I could. You’re the one who set it up”

“Oh, right. Guess I don’t need to be that nice to you then”

Licking his cheek, Lance wrinkled his nose

“You’re so fucking gross”

“You love me”

“That I do. We’re nearly home. Sorry it’s not much, I don’t really have visitors over. And I hope you’re not allergic to cats, Blue likes to shed all over the place”

In the back, Keith scoffed

“What kind of a name is “Blue” for a cat?”

How dare he insult Blue and her perfect little body of complete perfection. Blue was Blue, his number one girl, not a number one emo reject in the backseat of a strangers car because he hadn’t bothered learning basic maintenance

“I don’t know, what kind of name is “Keith” for a mullet”

When Shiro laughed, Lance was certain it was the man’s first real and genuine laugh for the night

“He’s got you there”

“Go fuck yourself”

Pidge laughed as Keith sulked. If he wasn’t good at taking a joke, then he shouldn’t be dishing it out. Not that Lance was one to talk

“Don’t mind him. He gets cranky when he’s sleepy”

The wrinkles between Keith’s eyebrows deepened at his brother’s explanation

“You’re the one who could have just got a hotel room”

“And you’re the one being rude. Lance, and his friends, are doing us a favour”

“Or they’re going to murder us in our sleep”

“Nah, man. That’s too much effort. I’ll make you a deal though, you don’t murder us and we won’t murder you”

Keith seemed even grumpier at Lance’s joke, Lance just anxious to reach his house already. This was terrible idea, a disaster in the making, and the plot of a pretty average b-grade movie. One thing was for sure though, he wasn’t wearing a matching bra and underwear, pretty much guaranteeing he wouldn’t be the first one murdered.

*

Parking by the steps of the porch, the rain started pelting down as Lance cut the ignition. Relieved to finally be home, he could see Blue sleeping on the windowsill of the living room, having decided to ruin yet another set of vertical blinds in her search for the perfect napping spot. Seeing her was what brought the greatest relief, not the warm light filtered between the blinds, and the knowledge his house would be nice and warm with his bed waiting for his tired arse. Opting to leave the equipment in the car for the night, Lance figured he’d collect it once the other’s fell asleep. All Pidge needed was the camera cards, and her laptop, which she was small enough to climb into the trunk for. God. He really didn’t want strangers in his house, judging things, and even worse, touching things. He liked all his things and he liked them where they were. Routine was key to keeping his sanity, and familiarity helped his Mami whenever he brought her home for a visit.

Fleeing from the car, they all managed to get themselves wet despite the short distance. The rain didn’t bother Lance, not when he couldn’t actually catch a cold from prolonged exposure to the cold. It was his guests his had to worry about

“Come on in. Leave your shoes by the door and I’ll grab us all some towels. Shiro, you and Keith probably don’t have a change of clothes with you, so I’ll lend you some robes now. You can chuck your stuff in the machine, then put it in the dryer before heading to bed. Hunk, wanna show them through the kitchen? I know we’ve got snacks, but I would kill for a glass of red”

“You got it, buddy”

The look in Hunk’s eyes seemed to question if he really wanted Shiro and Keith to know where Lance kept his knives. Hunk was too polite to blurt that out, not like Pidge who had no filter

“Out the way losers, I’ve got a date with my princess”

“My princess, is sleeping on the living room window sill. Don’t blame me if you get scratched”

“That’s just her way of telling me how much she loves me”

“Or how much you drive her insane”

“Rude, much. I’ll meet you guys in the kitchen when I’ve got my Blue”

Pidge pushed both her slushies over to Hunk, Hunk seemed nervous about left alone, but mentally rallied as he managed a smile

“The kitchen’s through here”

With three robes and a bundle of towels, Lance returned to the kitchen where Hunk had started stress baking. The signs were obvious, from the flour next to the mixing bowl, to Pidge sitting on the kitchen bench with an unhappy looking Blue held in her lap

“Sorry, some lazy arsehole didn’t sort the linen closest”

It was lie. He simply, really, truly didn’t want to deal with his visitors. Passing Shiro and Keith a robe and a towel each, Lance went on to wrap a towel over Hunk’s shoulders, then throw Pidge’s at her. Catching the towel, she managed to keep Blue contained in her lap, despite Blue’s displeasure

“Let me guess, that means you?”

Lance’s big blue eyes widened, shocked Shiro would make a joke

“Damn, Lance. I think I might just like this one”

“Oh, bite it, Pidge. Yeah. That lazy arsehole’s me. Even if there were more hours in the day, I’d still probably spend them sleeping. Did Hunk offer you guys a coffee?”

“Already on it, man. I’m whipping up some butter cookies to go with the tea”

Lance sighed to himself again, mentally of course because his mother would have smacked his arse had he done it out loud. He didn’t do guests for a reason. The feeding them thing was annoying

“I hope you don’t mind, but can you show us where the bathroom is?”

Right. They were wet. He was wet. He was supposed to be human, which meant sliding his robe on over his clothes, or rather starting too then realising it wouldn’t go on over his jacket. God. He was making an idiot of himself.

With his jacket over his chair, Lance flashed Shiro and Keith a smile

“Yeah, through here. You guys can go ahead and take a shower if you want. I mean, seperate showers, or whatever, no judgment if you’re into that kind of thing. Sorry, I’m not used to visitors. Feel free to use whatever you find in the guest bathroom, most of it’s Hunk and Pidge’s stuff they’ve left here, but there’s fresh soap bars and spare toothbrushes in the second drawer”

Someone needed to shut him up. Stitch his goddamn lips together, then bury him until his embarrassment worse off. Lance’s moves were still as he led his guests from the kitchen to the bathroom

“Here we go. I’ll put you in the spare room down here, and we’ll sleep upstairs. There’s not much down here, just my office which is the end room. Your room will be the next door up, it’s got two twins in there, so plenty of space. Pidge set up a charge pad, because you guys probably didn’t bring your chargers either. If you go all the way the other way in this hall, you’ll reach the laundry. Everything’s out in the open, so help yourself. I know this is awkward as fuck, and probably is for you two, but there’s no saying no to Pidge once she thinks something is a good idea. Oh, yeah, don’t be afraid to take your time, if you get lost, give us a yell”

Shiro thanked him, towing Keith into the bathroom by the arm. Lance not going to question that one. Not at all. Nope. Nooo... God that family had some good genetics though. Under all his brooding pouting, Lance had caught sight of Keith’s eyes... Eyes like two small galaxies had been captured and shoved in there. How they were so damn purple when he was human, Lance didn’t know, but fuck it was unfair.

When the bathroom door closed, Lance headed down to the office. Pidge couldn’t be trusted with electronic locks, leaving him the only option of dead locking the door. His explanation was that the cases he worked on deserved privacy, which his two friends respected. He’d let them in the office once to satisfy their curiosity, Pidge finding the sheer number of books boring. On the outside it appeared a normal office. Bookcases, filing cabinets, his framed diploma, laptop, printer, all those sorts of normal office things. His desk was organised around the clutter, that totally wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t help he had a weakness for quirky stationary. His current favourite pen was decorated with dancing cacti. The small things in life helped him deal with life’s less than pleasant things. Under his desk were the only two anomalies of the room. On the left, instead of drawers, was his wine rack. On the right, behind the drawers, was his fridge. Lance might be the worlds biggest klutz with his glasses on, but he wasn’t stupid enough to leave his blood bags where everyone could see them. Locked behind a heavy iron door, the previous fireplace of the room meant no one paid much attention to the outside protrusion where it once sat. He’d kept the decorative tiles in place, making a feature of it around his desk in order to keep the questions to a minimum. When it came to time leave his current set up, he was going to be devastated.

With precious minutes ticking down, Lance grabbed himself out the blood pack he’d started for the day. He never let himself go hungry, but with two strangers in the house it was better he let himself have a small feed just to keep his nerves in check. Grabbing down a wine glass and the closest bottle of Shiraz, he poured himself a double before pouring in a good double shot of blood. The bag was O+, not his favourite, yet not the worst. He wasn’t one of those blood snobs that only every drank one type. He was grateful for what he could get, and more grateful to the people who donated their blood under their own free will. Naturally they were compensated for their blood and their time, Coran who ran the blood bank in Platt wasn’t a man to be messed with. Lance knew Coran wasn’t human, yet he had no clue what race he was, nor did he have any idea the race of his niece Allura who often helped out. The pair of them were the coordinators for most of Platt city, and the surrounding area, providing safe blood for those not in a coven or forced from a coven due to whatever reason, with in reason... He knew they weren’t human, as neither of them had aged a single day in all the years he’d known them... which was a pretty long time when he stopped to think about it... which he definitely didn’t have time to right now.

Straightening up his office, Lance then headed back to the kitchen. Hunk busy with the cookies he’d just placed in the oven, while Pidge was sipping on her slurpy. Blue knew she wasn’t supposed to be on the kitchen table, yet gave zero fucks, Lance striding over to scoop her up and pepper her with kisses, after placing his glass down carefully

“Who’s daddy’s good girl?”

Blue shot him look that expressed how little she thought of him, done with his craziness and protesting of her less than regal treatment

“Yes, I know. You don’t care, you just want your wet food and the blanket turned back on. It’s such a hard life”

Stooping to let Blue down, she gave him a look of disgust before licking at her fur as if to erase his pats. Picking up his wine glass again, he took another sip, feeling the way the blood coated his mouth as it slid down easily

“Well, that’s done. They’re in the bathroom now, doing whatever. I still can’t believe you volunteered my house”

Pidge shrugged

“I know if it was Matt who was stuck, I’d want someone good to help him out. I promise to pay for anything that gets damaged”

“Damn, girl. How much they pay you for that tour?”

Pidge shrugged again. They both knew she wouldn’t be paying, if she tried Lance wouldn’t let her

“Enough”

Matt was a bit of a tricky topic. He was a firm believer in all things paranormal and supernatural. For all her enthusiasm and research, Matt dwarfed Pidge’s knowledge by a long shot. Apparently when Pidge was younger Matt had got himself in a bit of jam chasing ghosts, since whatever had happened, he’d left to track things all across the world. Pidge missed him fiercely, and was left constantly cranky with her brother at his lack of regular updates

“Speaking of Matt, have you heard from him lately”

Lance was glad Hunk was the one asking, he’d stripped Pidge bare of all her defences, keeping her secrets at the same time as keeping her grounded

“Not for something like 3 months now. Dad said he was in Italy the last time he checked in with him. Mum worries herself sick when she doesn’t hear from him”

“Pidge, if he’s anything like you, then he’s fine. You Holt’s are a touch bunch”

Pidge sighed, Lance sympathising over how hard it could be not to hear from your siblings. There was nothing like the love and hate that came with having a sibling. Half the time you want to murder them in their sleep, but god help anyone else who messed with them. His whole family had changed after he’d been turned, they’d aged while he remained the same. Now he was getting depressed.

Sliding off the counter, Pidge threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce hug

“I just... really miss him”

“I know you do. I’m sure he misses you, but he’s like you and once he’s off chasing something time looses all meaning”

“Yeah. I mean, I know he is, but sometimes it really...”

“Fucking sucks”

Pidge nodded as Lance finished her sentence for her. She was just a baby, while he was an old man of 44

“Have you messaged him lately?”

“Everyday”

That had to hurt even worse. 120 plus messages left on read

“Until he comes back, you’ll have to be happy with the two of us”

“I mean... if I reeeeeeally have to”

Hunk turned from the oven, enveloping both of them in a bear hug

“Group hug!”

Pidge laughed, faking an attempt at squirming her way out. Hunk laughing too as he lifted them both off their feet for a moment. Lance’s poor wineglass barely surviving the ordeal

“You two are stuck with me”

“Yep. We sure are. And we’re the luckiest people alive”

Well, Pidge was alive. His undead arse sure wasn’t getting any closer to living

“Okay, that’s enough, losers. I’m gonna go set the tapes up. Hopefully we’ll see something good”

“Or not. Not seeing anything is good too. Lance, go make sure she doesn’t edit the video in some way... I’m going to have nightmares tonight as it is”

“I’ve got you, bud. Come on, Gremlin. Let’s go set up your videos”

Lance had nearly let himself forget there were two strangers in his house. He couldn’t actually forget, but he was trying his damn hardest as he let Pidge’s techno-babble wash over him. He’d never met Matt in person, but Pidge’s missing him was bringing up how much he missed his own siblings. Mami would let him know how they’re doing, keeping him in the family loop. It had to be Papi’s funeral when he’s last seen them all. Lance lying through his teeth that he was named after his father, Lance, to pass off his young looks. He missed his papi. His papi had worked hard all his life, a farmer through and through, with every analogy somehow farm related. Especially when it came to his tractor, that was the man’s default go to when explaining anything, or attempting to have a father and son chat. He missed him something fierce, like he missed his siblings. None of them had invited him to his papi’s wake, Lance felt like he shouldn’t even be at the service, but his Mami gripped his hand and kept him close the whole time. She was the only one who wasn’t afraid of him. Lance hated them all for leaving him, but he loved them all because when they were kids things were so much less complicated. Late night bonfires, hunting on the farm, surfing, dancing in the rain. Huge family Christmas’s where it felt like everyone in town showed up. Kids in and out the the house, not like Christmases now days where he’d spend time with his Mami in the morning, taking her to church for mass then out for a drive, blow off his friends, binge bad rom-coms come evening and cook a feast up for Blue.

Smacked in the face with a flying TV remote Lance was forced back out of his self loathing shell. He had a good life, and even better friends. There was nothing wrong with the way he lived, and he had a sense pride in the work he did. Not all cases went his way, but he his head on better than most as far he was concerned

“What the fuck?”

“That’s for tuning out when I was trying to talk to me”

“You hit me in the face”

“Good. I was aiming for you chest, if that help”

Lance rose a finger to poke at his eyebrow where the remote had hit, there didn’t seem to be any blood, so he supposed he could let Pidge off

“You have my undivided attention. What did I miss?”

“I was saying it’s good to go, whenever Hunk gets here”

“You know he’s really going to have nightmares tonight”

“Then he can crawl into bed with you”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Uh, hello. I’m a girl, and Shay’s a girl”

Lance rolled his eyes

“Really? I hadn’t noticed”

“I’m just saying, don’t wanna make things complicated”

“There’s nothing going on between you two. It’s fine, you’ve shared a bed before”

“But not when Hunk was this close to finally getting a girlfriend”

Pidge held her fingers together, rather than the normal tiny gap

“Fine, but he sleeps in your room and you sleep with the light on”

“What are we? Twelve?”

“Awww, did little Pidge sleep with the light on all the way up to 12?”

“Oh, fuck you. You’re only like 2 years older than me. I bet you kept your night light on until you last night”

Pidge’s face said she was thinking over her words, knowing that something didn’t quite sit right in what she’d said, but if he was to point that out, he’d be hit for having the nerve

“Yep. I’m completely hopeless. Who knows what lurks in the dark. What if the monster under my bed attacked my feet because they hung over? What would I do then?”

“You’re such an arsehole”

“Hey, Blue has a stage where my toes were her mortal enemy”

“I’m going to tell Blue you’re going around telling everyone she’s a monster”

“By definition, all cats are arseholes. She knows she’s the cutest little monster that’s too tiny to take me down”

“Dude, she’s got you wrapped around her little finger?”

“Oh, so Lance has a girlfriend?”

Caught up in Pidge, Lance hadn’t heard Shiro approaching. He damp near jumped out of his skin at the unexpected voice

“No, this loser is unlucky in love, like the rest of us”

“Ah...”

Shiro sounded confused, Lance embarrassed

“We’re talking about my cat. She’s a pint sized monster. She’s probably going to be cranky all night because I didn’t give her more wet food”

“Ah, I see now...”

The silence that fell was awkward as fuck... Right. He had to be a good host

“We’re going to watch what Pidge filmed tonight, if you’re up to it. Hunk’s cookies should be done soon...”

“Oh, I was thinking Keith and I might just head to bed. You know, get out of your hair”

“Dude, you have to try Hunk’s cookies. They’re like a gift from god”

Shiro gave a nervous laugh, not everyone got Pidge’s humour, or brashness

“When you put it like that, how can I say no?”

Pidge clapped her hands

“Excellent. Now, the most important thing of all, do you believe in ghosts?”

“I can’t really say one way or another. I do have a friend that’s into that sort of thing”

“Then the next time you talk to them, you’re going to sound like a total expert. Sit down and buckle up, it’s time for an adventure into what lies beyond”

Pidge waved her fingers as her voice adopted a spooky tone for the “what lies beyond” part. Poor Shiro was coping Pidge totally nerding out. At least if she managed to scare him away, Lance wouldn’t have to worry about crossing paths with him, or his brother, ever again. Ugh. Being nice was exhausting.

[pitterpatterpot]

Lion’s Pride: Chapter Fifteen

19.

“No.”

“Aedion-“

“No.”

“I’m your queen!”

“…No.”

Aelin scowls at her cousin from across the desk in her (royal) office. “I’m not asking much.”

“You want me to go on another trip with my father!” Aedion snaps, arms crossed. “In case you’ve forgotten, every trip we’ve had so far has resulted in me either falling viciously ill or injured!”

“I just need you to visit Elide!” Aelin throws her hands up. “Please? You love her.”

“I love all my cousins. That doesn’t mean I necessarily want to go on a cursed trip just to give them information. About Rowan’s birthday, no less!”

“It needs to be kept a secret!” Aelin growls, gripping the arms of her chair. “It’s his first birthday in Terrasen!”

“You’re throwing a ball!”

“Your birthday’s literally a holiday, don’t be fussy!”

“I’m not, it’s just that keeping it a secret at this point is impossible!”

“Not,” Aelin sits forward, “necessarily. I can do it. He has no idea that everyone is coming or that there’s going to be a giant cake.”

“Right. The ancient warrior has no idea.”

“He doesn’t! I’ve been burying him in work and meaningless tasks!”

Aedion snorts, shaking his head. “You’re a lovely mate.”

“Please,” Aelin stands, bracing her hands on the desk. “Just go and make sure Elide has the proper supplies. That’s all I ask.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Aedion considers his cousins pleading (and threatening) gaze. 

“Lysandra can go with you.”

Aedion stands. “I’ll pack my bags.”

~~~

It was a mistake.

Such an overwhelming, horrible mistake to think that both Gavriel and Lysandra would be a good idea.

Especially when Aedion is forced to ride atop Lysandra in his lion cub form, the other two insisting that the trip would be ‘too slow in a humanoid form’ and since he was so small (tiny, Lysandra had dared to call him) he could just ride or be carried by them.

So he huffs, his smaller head resting on top of her larger one. The happy purr she’s been releasing helps his mood, but only to a certain degree.

Until the purring stops, and both she and Gavriel freeze, every bone in their bodies locking up and eyes narrowing as their tails flick from side to side. Unsure of the situation, Aedion raises his own head at the slow sound of crunching leaves approaching them.

And when two lions come near, shaking out their fur, both Aedion and Gavriel stare.

And stare.

And stare.

Marco shifts awkwardly. “So, have we come at a bad time, or…?”

Heiral, however, pads right up to Lysandra to sniff at Aedion. “Look at you! A cub! You must be growing fast.”

Lysandra droops her head down so Aedion can slide off, both of them shaking their fur as they stare at the two lions, Gavriel in particular still frozen to the spot in what appears to be mortification. Heiral and Marco, however, have no shame when it comes to crowding around Aedion, pushing him over with their muzzles, amused when he nips at them.

“Knew you could do it,” Heiral states proudly, sitting with his head held high.

“To what do we owe this visit?” Lysandra asks, communication only slightly distorted thanks to being a different cat species. 

Marco’s large shoulders give a shrug, the golden fur sliding over the muscle. “We just wanted to visit. What are you three doing?”

“We,” Gavriel says, blinking as slowly as he speaks, “we’re going to visit the Lady of Perranth. To give her details on Rowan’s birthday. And stop to see Caraverre on the way back.” 

“Caraverre?”

“Lysandra’s land.”

Marco blink. “You’re a lady? Then that makes Aedion…”

“A future lord,” Lysandra says, and Aedion pretends not to notice the humour in her voice as she says this while looking at his fuzzy form. 

“Good on you,” Heiral nudges Aedion, nearly tipping him onto his side once more. “We were actually coming down to visit you, but maybe we could join the trip? See more of Terrasen?”

“Heiral,” Marco sighs. “Don’t butt in on their journey.”

“Please,” Lysandra bows her head, words quick and pleading. “It would be wonderful to have you. You can tell more stories about Gavriel and I can tell you stories about Aedion.”

The three of them starting walking, leaving Gavriel and Aedion to watch them slink away.

“Gavriel?”

“Yes, Aedion?”

“What do we do now?”

“I don’t know, Aedion.”

~~~

It’s a long trip. A long trip where more blackmail material was swapped than should have been allowed. Gavriel and Aedion just followed the three eager cats, hanging at the back of the group. Sneaking into the city at nightfall wasn’t difficult, neither was slowly slipping into Elide’s palace, where a back door had been left open for them. 

Moving into the dining hall had been easy. Winding their way through hallways while avoiding all people. Completing the mission with all the stealth and grace that was to be expected of them.

Until they round a corner, and Dorian screams, dropping a mug.

“Just us!” Gavriel snaps, shifting back in an instant, holding his hands up even as Chaol comes barging through a door into the hallway. “Aedion, Lysandra, my brothers and I!”

The two men stare at them. The group stares back as everyone shifts into their human forms. 

“Why,” Aedion blinks at Dorian, “are you here?”

“Manon wanted to visit Elide,” Dorian scowls as he bends to pick up the shattered pieces of mugs.

Aedion scowls. “You’re a king. Did you really need to come with her?”

Dorian throws him a confused look that states, yes, yes he did. 

Breathing in a deep breath, Aedion pinches the bridge of his nose. “And Chaol?”

“I wanted a holiday.”

“You’re a new father.”

“…They may have wanted a holiday from me.”

Aedion turns to Dorian for an explanation, the king simply shrugging. “He was too overbearing. She wanted some time to herself. Also, as my right-hand, Chaol is crucial to diplomatic missions such as this.”

Aedion throws his hands up. “There’s nothing diplomatic about this! You’re just mooching off my younger cousin for a free holiday!”

“Right,” a wicked grin spreads across Dorian’s face, “and by the way, since we’re on the topic of ‘younger,’ were you just a cub?”

Everyone gives the same wicked grins as Aedion scowls, deeply. “I’m not discussing this.”

“I’m not going to lie,” Dorian hums as he and Chaol follow the group, “you have become significantly less intimidating lately.”

The look Aedion gives the king, one of pure indignation and horror, causes Gavriel to have to clamp his mouth shut and turn away lest he starts bellowing. It doesn’t take long for them to reach the meeting room, Chaol, Dorian and Aedion snapping at each other the entire way as they do so. they and Lysandra go in the room alone, Gavriel and his brother’s waiting outside. Apparently, even they can’t be trusted with the magnificent birthday details.

Although, considering the fact Rowan has already asked Gavriel for details five times, the lack of knowledge may be wise.

“Aedion gets along well with those boys,” Heiral comments lightly, leaning against the wall.

“He’ll never admit it,” Gavriel agrees, softening at the laughter that erupts from inside before hardening again. “Now, why are you two really here?”

“Well, we love you too,” Marco mutters and glares.

“Believe it or not,” Heiral scowls, “we really did miss you all those years. And we’re both not getting any younger, so we decided to see our nephew and brother again before we pass on. But if you’d rather that we didn’t, that we stay away and you only is it for our funerals, then we’d be happy to comply.”

“Oh, for the love of… Fine. Just please send a letter or something? You can’t just keeping popping up. It isn’t good for my heart.”

“He says as though he isn’t the youngest of the three of us,” Marco snorts.

Gavriel eyes his brother. “You’re crabbier than usually.”

Heiral winces. “He and Leo got into a fight.”

Gavriel pivoted to his brother, eyes wide. “You fought?”

Marco scowls. “What happens between my husband and I is my business.”

“He is aware at the fact that you’re in another continent, right? Marco, tell me you didn’t just run away.”

“What?” Marco chokes. “Good gods, of course not! What kind of a male did you take me for? This trip was pre-planned, and we decided some space would be good to clear our heads.”

“Good,” Gavriel resists the urge to scowl, instead nodding. “You’re too good of a couple to seperate.”

Heiral flicks his brows up. “You’re spending too much time with young people.”

“I’m worried that may just be the case,” Gavriel can’t fight back the smile that appears on his face.

“We can hear you!” Aedion’s voice calls out.

“And I can hear that Elide is in charge of the cake!” Gavriel calls back. 

The door opens, and Aedion’s head sticks out, a scowl firmly in place. “Go take your fae-hearing somewhere else. Explore the city or something.”

Gavriel shakes his head. “My father would have made me sleep outside for such disrespect.”

Aedion raises a brow slowly. “Really? Pulling the strict grand-father move?”

“Only thing that seems to work.”

“Fine. Would you like to enjoy an evening out in the city?”

“Much better,” Gavriel shoos Marco and Heiral away. “Let’s go.”

“I see you’re improving his manners,” Heiral grins at Aedion over his shoulder, fully aware the demi-fae can hear him

Aedion holds up a single finger as they leave. 

~~~

“So,” Lysandra purrs, her front pressed close against Aedion’s, “we haven’t had some alone time in a while.”

“No,” Aedion smiles against her mouth, hands wrapping around her waist. “We haven’t. But could you maybe let me move from the door first?”

“I like taking you against walls,” Lysandra mutters, yet relents and moves back a step. 

“Oh, I know,” Aedion grins at her as he slips off his jacket, tracking her movement as she gracefully sits on the bed, “but while we’re in Elide’s castle I’d hate for someone out in the hallway to hear us.”

“That’s happening either way.”

“True. Are you excited about seeing Caraverre tomorrow?”

Lysandra hesitates, laying on her side and winding her hands in his hair as he copies her movement. “Yes and no.”

Aedion’s brows furrow, and he presses his cheek further into her hand, his own palms sliding over her hips. “No?”

“No,” Lysandra noses his collarbones. “I am excited, very. I just… I have no idea what to do with the land.”

“Ah.”

“Ah?” She pulls back, a brow raised. “That’s it? No grand suggestions?”

Aedion shrugs as well as he can while lying on his side. “I’ve been to the land. In the mountains with plenty of wilderness, left mainly empty and filled with snow in the winter. Snow leopards thrive in the environment, along with other creatures. To build a city or even town there could create some trading opportunities.”

“Right,” Lysandra’s mouth tightens. “But a town can grow into a city, a city into surrounding town and settlements.”

“And?”

“And you need to clear land to build space for people. You need to cut down habitats.”

Aedion releases a breath. “Right. That’s never had to be considered before, not with the fact that the land is mainly unused. It’s small, so perhaps only a small, central settlement?”

Lysandra nods slowly. “That could work. A single main building, perhaps some barracks, make it a station more than anything,” her eyes cut to Aedion’s, as green as the wilderness they speak of and just as untameable. “We could mainly stay in Orynth.”

“What?” Aedion frowns, propping himself up on one elbow. “But all you speak of is living in Caraverre. the wilderness, the animals, the fact that it will be ours to live in freely.”

“I know,” Lysandra moves to sit against the headboard, “but would you be alright living like that?”

“Of course.”

She cuts him a dry look. “You’re quite a social person, contrary to your belief. You spend more time with the Bane more than anything.”

Aedion purses his lips. “We’re still trying to find places to settle over half of them. Not many know what to do now that the war is over. Kyllian’s been helping me direct a number of them, but Orynth doesn’t give them many options with the already high population.”

Lysandra gives no answer, prompting Aedion to look over at her. The shifter’s eyes are alight, a smile dappling across her face.

“I feel like I’ve missed something,” Aedion says slowly.

“Get up,” Lysandra springs from the bed. “We’re going to see something in Caraverre.”

Aedion’s eyes widen, yet an excited grin spreads across his face as he stands and shrugs on his jacket. “Now?”

“Yes,” Lysandra grins back. “Everyone’s asleep, and we should be able to get back before they miss us.”

“How?” Aedion demands, tying his shoes. “It’ll take at least a day to walk there.”

“Ah,” Lysandra’s eyes spark, “but much less for a wyvern.”

~~~

“See?” Lysandra stalks through the forest, gesturing out a large piece of land overgrown by greenery, a river nearby. “We could build a main building right here, a few accommodations for the Bane to live in, barracks and stables to the left a little closer to the river when we have non-permanent residents staying-“

“Lysandra,” Aedion grabs hold of her arm, turning her around to face him. “Lysandra, Lysandra what are you saying?”

They both stand there, the moon large and silver over their heads, the sounds of the animals clear in the distance as a fine dew-like mist settles over the greenery. The moss growing thickly on trees lightens the darkened bark, glowing insects flying above their heads to join the stars. Gold and silver, they look like, silhouetted against the light of the night sky. Yet both equally scarred and bruised, both made by the very mountains they’re standing on, both formed from blood and sweat and the unbreakable souls that they contain. 

“It doesn’t need to be big,” Lysandra swallows, balling her hands against his chest. “Just a place for the wild people.”

“Wild people?”

“Bastards, warriors, whores,” Lysandra sucks in a deep, shuddering breath. “People who are disrespected and turned away. Demi-fae, the challenged. This could be a place for them, and who better to oversee everything than us?”

Aedion swallows thickly, eyes rimmed with silver. “Us.”

“Us,” Lysandra places a hand over his heart. “Gavriel can visit and help direct the settlement along with Kyllian. It’s not too far from Orynth so seeing Aelin and Rowan should be easy. People like your mother, people who need to escape the larger places after being discarded or scorned, can come here and find sanctuary.”

She feels Aedion’s rattled breath under her hand as it courses through his chest, her own tears flowing as she wipes away one of his own. Both their bodies shudder as they lean against one another, finally seeing what they may be able to build.

A chance. A chance they never had but could offer others.

“Lysandra,” Aedion’s voice remains hoarse. “The clearing of the land, or habitats-“

“Doesn’t need to happen,” Lysandra whispers back. “We can work our way around it. It doesn’t need to be big, it just needs to be ours.”

He engulfs her in his arms, pressing her close as her hands bury themselves in his hair and his arms tighten around her torso, her breath arm and sweet on his lips. It doesn’t take much for them to end up staring at the sky together, propped against a thick tree trunk as the black bleeds into purples, pinks and oranges. 

They’ll make it clear in the laws that Caraverre will be a wild place, a place not meant to overstep it’s boundaries, a place that must accept all. Of course, everything will need to be clearly recorded so that no future lord or lady can change the small haven they’ve created. Can warp it into something ugly and caging. 

They’ll scribble it in the very laws of the kingdom itself.

They’ll make murals of it in Orynth for all to remember.

They’ll carve it into the very sky if they have to.

They’ll protect what is their’s.

~~~

“Have you checked everywhere?” Gavriel growls, grabbing Marco by the front of his shirt to pull his brother closer. “Everywhere?”

Marco swallows, slowly unpicking Gavriel’s fingers from his shirt. “You know, I get the feeling that those two don’t disappear often.”

Gavriel’s glare says it all. 

“They’re probably just out together,” Dorian holds up his hands. “It’s fine.”

Growling, Gavriel goes back to pacing the dining room, everyone watching from the table. “They’ve been missing since last night! Sun down is in an hour!”

“Your Majesty,” Heiral whispers to Dorian, bowing his head as Gavriel continues to rant, “it’s a pleasure and an honour.”

“Please,” Dorian waves away the title. “You’re Aedion’s uncle, just call me Dorian.”

“Uncles,” Chaol mutters to his plate, brows bunched and face still pale. “There’s more of them.”

“How delightful,” Manon murmurs sourly, in agreement. 

“Where the hell could they be?” Gavriel snaps, drawing back their attention. “What if they were taken?”

Elide draws her brows together, placing down her fork from where she sits at the head of the table. “I don’t really think it would be that easy for someone to abduct them in the middle of the night without raising the alarms. Maybe they went out and stayed at an inn for the night?”

Gavriel continues to growl lowly under his breath, Lorcan glaring at him as he does so. “Stop it. They’re gods damn adults, they can handle themselves.”

Cutting them all a look, Gavriel stops his pacing. “None of you are even the least bit concerned that no one has any idea where they are, and that they’ve been missing for over a full day?”

They all look away, unable to answer. Manon, however, simply snorts and shakes her head.

“Right,” Gavriel mutters, and stalks out of the room.

“I’ve never seen him this rattled,” Heiral hums, watching the door close. “Although we should start looking for them.”

Elide sags in her seat, pale. “I’ve had people looking for the last three hours. No one knows where they are; we’re just trying to contain the panic at this point.”

“Shit,” Chaol mutters, standing. “Something really could have happened. Maybe we should all go look.”

“It would cause Gavriel and others to panic,” Lorcan muses.

“Better than doing nothing,” Dorian shrugs, standing along with Chaol. “We’ll check around the estate, play off that it’s just us looking around.”

“You’re all overreacting,” Manon scowls from besides Elide. “They’re probably fine. Just give it another hour before you start running around like idiots.”

Silently, they all go back to eating, a thick tension hanging in the air.

~~~

“Three hours since dinner!” Gavriel snaps, storming through the door. “Three hours! It’s nearly midnight!”

Elide paces at the end of the table, everyone else finally looking just as concerned.

“We couldn’t find them anywhere,” Dorian links his hands together, eyes dark.

“Nobody knew where they were,” Chaol shakes his head. “We asked as discretely as we could yet gained no answers and people may be beginning to suspect.”

“Abraxos and I saw nothing in the skies,” Manon leans back in her chair, arms crossed. “We may need to take action. Are you willing to hunt, princeling?”

“I think you’ll find I’m a king now,” Dorian purrs back, “but of course.”

Everyone pretends not to notice Chaol’s pale complexion as Manon flashes her teeth. The poor man received enough of a shock first learning about the witch; teasing him can come much later when his heart settles.

“You could all check the stables.”

“We could check again,” Elide bites at her fingernails, “but it’s unlikely that’s where they would go.”

“Or the kitchen? I would have thought you’d at least check there.”

“Trust me when I say I’ve checked there continually,” Gavriel rubs at his face sagging in his chair. “Aedion, if you’re going to make no helpful contributions then-“

Gavriel freezes, along with everyone else in the room, and looks up to the doorway. Lysandra and Aedion, dirtied yet smiling as widely as they ever had with their hands clasped between them, stares back at everyone. At once everyone in the room seems to release a sigh, sagging into their seats, with the exception of Manon who simply looks away from them dismissively. 

“Where were you?” Elide blinks, face slack with relief.

“Caraverre,” Aedion grins, nudging Lysandra, who smirks and nudges him back. “We fell asleep there. Sorry for being late.”

“You went to Caraverre?” Gavriel places a hand flat on the table, leaning forward.

“Lysandra flew us,” Aedion shrugs.

A muscle flickers in the Lion’s jaw, and Gavriel stands abruptly, his chair pushing back behind him. Lysandra winces at the way Aedion’s hand suddenly tightens in shock at the movement, the only sign of a flinch that will be given.

“We all may just…” Elide makes a gesture towards the door, Lorcan quickly rushing her out of it, Chaol, Dorian and Manon already nowhere to be seen, Aedion’s uncles long gone.

Lysandra herself wouldn’t mind turning into a small animal and escaping the tense situation. 

“Do you have any idea how worried I was?” Gavriel growls, his voice broken by the vicious sound. “Good gods, Aedion, didn’t you even think to tell someone that you would both be leaving? We searched for you two all day and night. It’s nearly sunrise!”

“You disappeared for over a day,” Aedion scowls, and Lysandra winces at his choice of words, knowing more conflict has been sparked. “Us leaving for a single day to see our own land isn’t much different.”

Gavriel stares at his son. Ignoring the uncomfortable itch that his father’s gaze gives him, Aedion stands his ground, staring right back while trying to loosen his grip on Lysandra’s hand. 

“I see,” Gavriel grits his teeth, his eyes flashing in such a way that Aedion nearly feels his knees buckle from the predatory gaze. “So you decided to leave in the middle of the night, while we’re on a trip, with no explanation to go see your land?”

Swallowing, Aedion gives a single nod, and feels his very body tighten as Gavriel stalks closer to him, prepared to step in front of Lysandra if need be. He knows he doesn’t need to, knows that it’s an appalling thing to expect, but he’s allowed it to happen before.

He’s stood in place before, putting faith in the person walking towards him with the same look his father holds now. He knows Gavriel is nothing like those males, but he can’t help but see them in that anger. 

“Right,” Gavriel bares his teeth, more livid than Aedion has ever seen him. “Then next time you visit your land, make no hurry to come back.”

The door slams loudly behind him, the very hinges rattling, threatening to tear off. They hear Gavriel roar on the other side of the door, and the quick footsteps of someone scampering away. Aedion jumps at the sound that emits from right behind him and closes his eyes.

Lysandra wipes her shaking, sweaty palms on her dress, trying to muster a smile. “Well, maybe we could leave a note next time.”

She means to reach out for his hand again, but as soon as she touches it she realises that it’s trembling, that Aedion’s entire body is being rocked with small tremors, his chest rising and falling in an unsteady pattern.

“Aedion,” Lysandra says softly, leading him to a couch against one wall. “It’s alright, sit.”

He does so, Lysandra immediately sitting next to him and allowing Aedion to lean into her warmth with an arm wrapped around his waist.

“Sorry,” he says hoarsely, hands clenched in his lap, trembling, as he heaves every breath. “I-“

“Just breath,” Lysandra interrupts, tightening her grip on him, glad when he leans into her side. “It’s alright, Aedion, just try to breath with me alright?”

He nods, closed eyes doing nothing to prevent the tears that drop down his cheeks. Lysandra swallows thickly, her chest tight an aching, as she reaches forward to wipe one away.

“I’ve never seen you cry twice within so little time,” she attempts at humour.

It gains a hiccuping laugh. “It’s been a big twenty-four hours, and you’re the only female that can bring me to my knees.”

“Well, obviously,” Lysandra attempts to keep her voice light, glad for the small piece of humour. “You look quite pretty when you are.”

That gains another choking laugh, an accomplishment even if Aedion has to immediately try to rein in air once again. She moves her hand to rub at his back as he does so, her heart twisting as he places his head in his hands. After a few moments, after he finally regains a steady pattern with his lungs, Aedion removes his head from his hands and leans back, his eyes closed as he exhaustedly breathes. Wincing at his flushed cheeks, at his new dishevelled state, Lysandra reaches forward to wipe any remaining moisture from his face. 

It’s no surprise when he tilts his head to kiss her palm. “I’m sorry.”

“Never be sorry,” Lysandra says softly, leaning against his side as he leans against hers. “Would you ever expect me to apologise when I panic?”

“Of course not,” Aedion sighs, closing his eyes once more. “But you know.”

“I know,” Lysandra swallows her own emotions. “There is no part of you that I will ever run from, Aedion. Just as how you have never ran from me.”

“Never,” Aedion repeats with surety, as if it’s a simple fact, linking her hand with his once again. “I’m sorry such a wonderful day has been spoilt.”

“Technically, it was a wonderful night, so we’re good,” Lysandra kisses his cheek. “I’ll get you some water.”

He insists against it, but she rises and fills two empty glasses with the clear liquid. She raises a brow as he drinks his entire cup within a second, and rolls her eyes. It earns her a small nudge in the side.

“He was pissed,” Aedion says softly, tightening his hands around the glass. 

Hesitating, Lysandra places her own glass down. “He didn’t mean what he said, Aedion. And he wasn’t going to hit you.”

His eyes cut towards her. “I know.”

“He really wasn’t,” Lysandra places a hand on his arm. “Remember when that woman tried to do my makeup and I broke her rib?”

“I was proud of that,” Aedion mutters, then catches her glare. “Of how well you broke her rib! Not that she was actually injured.”

“I know,” Lysandra shakes her head, bemused. “But my point is that we both have fears, both have triggers, that can bring us to panic. We can make ourselves be prepared for something we assume may happen. I saw you, Aedion. You were ready to step in front of me, and you looked terrified.”

He gives no answer, staring at the glass in his hands.

“Sometimes we can’t help but fear,” Lysandra whispers, her curtain of black hair spilling over her shoulder. “There’s no shame in that, Aedion. You’ve never shamed me.”

“Of course not,” he curls his hand around hers, eyes soft as he bows his head.

“Exactly,” Lysandra squeezes his palm. “We’ll go to bed and sleep. You can then talk to Gavriel in the morning.”

Aedion closes his mouth, then opens it again, throat bobbing. “What if…”

She squeezes his hand in encouragement.

“What if he doesn’t want to talk?” Aedion says quietly, trying to still his lips from trembling. “He- he said-“

“Aedion,” Lysandra softens, cupping his hands in her own. 

“He said not to hurry back,” Aedion’s voice comes through strained, desperate. “If he doesn’t want me to come back then, then that means-“

“Aedion,” Lysandra drops her voice to a soothing tone. “Gavriel is not going to disown you.”

She winces at the tears that spring to his eyes at the word, at the way that he sucks in another large, rattling breath to calm himself.

“He’s not,” Lysandra soothes. “You know he’s not. You wouldn’t disown you over something like this.”

“But he was so angry,” Aedion whispers.

“Gavriel is one of the most patient males there are,” Lysandra kisses his cheek. “We’re both tired and exhausted, which is probably why you’re so emotional.”

“I’m not-“

“Don’t deny it,” Lysandra rolls her eyes. “There’s nothing wrong with being emotional, I was terrified too. Now, let’s go to bed.”

Sighing, he nods, and dutifully follows her to their room. He dumps his head in the sink as soon as he can to cool off the heat of his skin, bathing quickly before collapsing on the bed. Lysandra follows after him, dressed in a gown and smelling of lavender after taking a much more thorough sleeping routine besides just dumping her body in water.

“Thank you,” Aedion says softly, pulling her close in the darkness. “I’m glad we are together.”

Lysandra kisses a bare part of his shoulder. “We belong to each other, no one else.”

“No one else,” Aedion agrees, softly closing his eyes.

~~~

“Well,” Heiral claps Aedion on the shoulder, “this was fun, but we’re leaving.”

Aedion blinks, eyes bleary form sleep, at his two fully-dressed uncles. “I- You what?”

“We decided to forfeit a visit to Orynth,” Heiral waves a hand. “We’ve already told Gavriel we’re leaving, we just wanted to stop by and say farewell to you.”

Aedion blinks once again. “You’re leaving? Now?”

“Yes,” Heiral leans forward, and gestures to Marco. “He misses Leo.”

“Heiral!” Marco snaps, but makes no move to deny it.

“Alright,” Heiral rolls his eyes and straightens. “We need to head home to complete our duties anyway. Say hello to Aelin for us.”

“I will,” Aedion sighs, and accepts a hug from the both of them.

“Goodbye, Lysandra!” Heiral calls into the room.

He receives an answering noise. 

“She’s tired,” Aedion says by way of explanation.

“Right,” Marco nods, “give her our pardons.”

Aedion watches them walk down the hallway and out of sight. He closes the door, promptly turning around and collapsing back into bed.

You’d think they’d find a better time to leave than four in the morning.

~~~

The trip back is frosty. Cold. They bid farewell to Chaol, Dorian and Manon the same time they parted with Elide and Lorcan, watching the three of them fly away before finalising plans with Elide.

The cake will be ridiculous. Magnificent, but ridiculously magnificent.  

Of course, as soon as they enter the throne room, everyone senses their chilling aura.

“There you are,” Aelin scowls at them. “What took so long?”

“Nothing,” Aedion shakes his head, the same time Gavriel says “Aedion and Lysandra went missing for two days.”

Aelin’s eyes flick over to the two in question, eyes lit with worry. “What happened?”

“We just visited Caraverre,” Aedion explains through clenched teeth.

“Fantastic,” Aelin scowls. “Since you’re the reason the cake date is late, you can help set up the decorations.”

Aedion blanches. “I am not hanging up over a hundred streamers around the castle.”

“I agree with Aelin,” Gavriel voice pierces through the room.

Aedion gapes, hurt flashing in his eyes, while Aelin simply smirks and leans back, oblivious to the prior events. 

“You’re agreeing with her?” Aedion growls. “You’re taking her side over your son’s?”

Gavriel immediately sends him an aggravated look. “I’m agreeing with her that since you aided in us being late, you should own up and decorate the hall, yes.”

“I can’t believe this,” Aedion shakes his head, lips pulled back in a snarl. “Thank you, so much, for taking her side instead of your son’s just because you’re pissed at something that even you did only a few weeks ago!”

Spinning around, Aedion storms out the hall, the door slamming shut behind him. A chilling silence follows, Aelin staring, pale faced, as she begins to think through reasons as to why such an outcome may have occurred. Gavriel simply walks out the other door, looking just as infuriated. 

“I…” Aelin hesitates, looking to Lysandra, who simply slowly shakes her head while pinching the bridge of her nose. “Did I miss something?”

~~~

Sighing, Gavriel walks down the halls, Aedion’s words echoing in his head. He’d been rash, pushed by his emotions in a way he hasn’t allowed for centuries. And above all else, he sided with Aelin over Aedion. Yes, Aelin is their queen, but for Gavriel to plaintively agree with her over something so trivial that he could have easily sided with Aedion on? It’s more of a betrayal, his showing of anger, than anything.

And he dragged Lysandra right into the middle of it. To think he’d be insensitive enough to forget about her, to speak to her the way he did. Something sick rolls in his stomach as he remembers it, as he goes over the tone of his voice.

It’s just been so damn hard lately, to keep everything in check. Everything is so different now- he actually has something to care about and protect, other than just mindlessly follow orders.

And when that thing disappears, he apparently overreacts.

A fact that he is now ashamed to admit.

So he troops through the palace, heading for the dining halls where Aelin said Lysandra would be. He’ll apologise to her first; Aedion will be a different conversation.

“Lysandra,” Gavriel winces as he approaches her, Lysandra looking up from where she eats. “I’d like to apologise for my behaviour yesterday and at Perranth. It was uncalled for to treat and speak to you like that. I can’t apologise enough, I swear to try to redeem myself through my actions as time goes on to hopefully regain your forgiveness.”

Staring, Lysandra places her pastry back on the plate. “Why can’t all males be like you?”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing,” Lysandra quickly wipes at her mouth. “And it’s fine, I knew that it came from fear more than anything.” 

“It’s no excuse,” Gavriel shakes his head, sitting in the chair besides her.

“No,” Lysandra purses her lips. “You need to learn how to control your protectiveness. But more than anything, I think you need to realise how it affects Aedion.”

“He must be mad-“

“He panicked, Gavriel.”

Startled, he blinks. “What?”

Clasping her hands together, face grave and stern, Lysandra turns to face him. “He had an attack, as soon as you barged past him and slammed the door. I don’t think you may realise this, but neither of us have good history with… violent guardians.”

Pain radiating through his body, Gavriel closes his eyes. “When I-“

“And the fact that you agreed with Aelin,” Lysandra sips her drink, “was just the icing on the cake. What you said to Aedion harmed him deeply.”

“Do you know where he is?” Gavriel asks quietly, fully expecting a denial to the information.

“In our room,” Lysandra says, surprising him. “Go and talk to him; let him know that you’re not throwing him away.”

“Why would I throw-“

“You chose bad words, Gavriel, when you were angry. Go and talk.”

~~~

“Aedion?” Gavriel winces as he knocks on the door and silence follows.

He knows his son is in there, he can smell his scent.

And it doesn’t make it any better when Aedion opens the door, looking fine if not for the fact that Gavriel can see his signs of anxiety in the way he crosses his arms, gripping his left biceps dangerously tight.

“I would like it if we could talk?” Gavriel probes gently.

Aedion simply leans against the doorframe. “So talk.”

Sucking in a deep breath, Gavriel repeats the words he’s been going over in his head for the last few hours. “The way I treated you was appalling. I’m so, so sorry, Aedion, for any panic or shock that I may have caused you. I let my fear and overprotectiveness to run out of hand, and I swear that I will try to measure myself onwards. Please know that I would never hurt you, or truly want you to not come back.”

He can feel sweat trickle down his back as Aedion simply flicks his eyes up and down, assessing his father, before shrugging. “Great. See you later.”

Gavriel moves forward, grabbing the door before Aedion can close it fully. “Aedion-“

In one strong movement, Aedion flings the door open, eyes ablaze as he leans forward. “You said sorry, great. Now I have work to do.”

“We need to talk-“

“No we fucking don’t!” Aedion’s voice roars down the hallway, and Gavriel resists taking a step back. “I just- shit- you apologised! Great! I mean, it’s not like I never got angry!”

“Aedion-“

“It’s not like I never told anyone not to come back!”

Something cracks. “Son-“

“It’s not like I went off my head at you when you disappeared for three days after I had to admit to one of the most hardest parts of my life in front of five of the greatest warriors I’ve ever known! It’s not like I could have used you through those following days while you just left!”

Feeling his throat tear, Gavriel sucks in a shaking breath. “I would never-“

“I know!” Aedion trembles with rage, yet sags against the doorframe. “I know you would never leave, never abandon me. But you…”

“I hurt you,” Gavriel forces the words out, nearly choking on them.

Aedion looks away, shrugging, looking close to denying it. The very fact he doesn’t, the very fact he’s been pushed far enough to drop the facade, is more alarming than anything.

“Aedion,” Gavriel can barely raise his voice, barely steady his hands, “I swear I will work to regain your trust.”

“Right,” Aedion swallows. “You didn’t hurt me.”

Gavriel stops, confusion flashing across his face. “Than wh-“

“You scared me,” Aedion strangles the words out, making an unpleasant face as though he’s been forced to swallow poison.

A dangerous kind of quiet settles over Gavriel. “I scared… Oh my gods, Aedion, cub, I-“

“It’s fine,” Aedion goes to close the door again, voice just as choked and strained as before. “I’ll be fine. I know you wouldn’t… It’s just hard, sometimes, to forget that you’re… That you’re not like…”

“I know,” Gavriel whispers, keeping his hands by his side instead of reaching for his son. 

“Please just give me some time,” Aedion rubs at his face. “Than we can talk as much as you want. I just… I just need to sit for a bit.”

“Alright.”

Aedion moves to close the door, yet hesitates, pausing to glance at Gavriel. “Could we… could we talk about something else? Or… You just talk, and I listen?”

Swallowing his relief, Gavriel nods ferociously. “Of course. Would you like to hear how I met your mother?”

Aedion hesitates, yet opens the door. “Maybe not now…”

“Than I’ll tell you another,” Gavriel steps into the room. “For as long as you need.”

It’s a start, to be allowed in his presence in a way so few people have done. The fact that Aedion still wishes for his presence, for his comfort, after what happened shows that not all is broken yet. 

They just need to talk. 

[talldarkandroguesome]

28th of Sun’s Dawn, Turdas

We did it! We actually made it to Solitude.

We arrived as a snowstorm blew up. What a fitting welcome. Like the arms of the nation spread out to embrace us with its most iconic weather. I could have leapt from the bow and pressed my lips to the ice that clung around the pillars of the harbor’s dock.

I know Skyrim is not the land of my birth, nor did it raise me, but I have spent so much of my life in this place, more than anywhere outside of Morrowind, it feels as though it is my second home.

There is something so exhilarating about the cold. I felt almost as though I were a child, bursting with energy, ready to go racing through the streets and leap into snow piles.

Qau-dar took the weather in far greater stride than I had expected, joking bitterly that he had only just managed to get used to having warm feet again. I offered to provide him a flame cloak, but he said he did not have a need of one.

To my surprise, Sera Rialas overheard my offer to Qau-dar and came over quite boisterously, asking if I would not provide one. I was happy to oblige, of course, and when I was done, was happy to see him happily strutting about, Lilandril shaking his head and muttering darkly under his breath. He is far too jealous of another mer’s husband, if you ask me.

Little Khes seemed completely unaware of the cold, spending her time attempting to get her new stead to charge at any small wildlife she came across. Not that there was too much, this time of year. But she certainly terrified rats and a stray dog or two.

Ulyn was, predictably, full of complaints. Even with his new warmer clothing, he seemed to be content only when he was fussing to get me to put on more layers or when he was threatening his own death by frostbite.

Tel, well... Tel could best be described as looking like a bird that had puffed itself up against the winter’s cold. Wrapped in more layers than I had ever seen, and I noticed, they wore the other items I had purchased that they had before claimed they did not need.

I gave flame cloaks to both Ulyn and Tel, to help them seep from being too uncomfortable.

After I had made arrangements for the transport of our goods to a cart and finished giving the captain her dues, I gathered everyone to determine rooms. With eleven of us, I wanted to make sure that we would all be comfortable with the arrangements. I asked if Sera Rilas would wish to stay in a room with the children or have his own.

What an argument that turned out to be. Of course, Sera Rialas wanted the children to be roomed seperately, though I was surprised when his reasoning be that he wanted to continue to share his private time with Lilandril, of all mer. How desperately he must miss his husband, only he knows. I said nothing of this, but Lilandril insisted that the children would stay with them.

As they continued to argue, I asked Qua-dar if he would mind sharing his room with others or if he and little Khes would prefer a room of their own. He said he was happy to share.

Then I had to determine the big question, which room should be three and which should be four. Should I place Tel in a room with Speaks-Too-Soon, Watches-By-Day, and Ulyn? Or should I place them in the room with Qau-dar and myself? Surely three adults and one child is more comfortable than four adults. But I also worried about if Speaks-Too-Soon might strangle Ulyn for becoming annoying in the night, or if Qau-dar would not be more comfortable if Tel were not in the same room.

It is only one night, I know. But these are the important decisions to be made.

In the end, I decided it was worth the cost of an extra room. I would let Speaks-Too-Soon and Watches-By-Day have their own space. I left Ulyn and Tel to room together and placed myself in Qau-dar and little Khes’ room. In the end, everyone should be comfortable with having more space and less chances for interpersonal discomfort. I even rented an extra large room for Sera Rialas and Lilandril so that the children would have the outer area of the room with a wall dividing them from the adults.

I spent most of the day making sure all our loose ends were not left hanging and that our journey to Whiterun would be well prepared. I spoke with the the bureaucracy to give the captain and her crew a decent place in the market to trade their goods. I have an old friend who has the ear of some of the local gentry, and it was easy enough to ask her to put out the word about a shipment of beautiful goods from the west.

Then I sought out a reputable driver and cart to transport us and our goods. The man was not very pleased about the idea of taking his horses into Morrowind. Imperial rumors had reached him that any horses on Dunmeri soil were instantly set upon by Dunmer, who, like beasts, would eat the flesh of a horse right off its bones. I assured him that we were not some sort of elven vampires and we would never harm someone else’s property.

Eventually we agreed that he would take us as far as Riften.

Riften. Ugh. I hope I can find someone with decent horses there. If nothing else, I will purchase the cart and horses myself. The one thing Denu was good for, she was a highly qualified driver.

I had not thought I would miss the taste of mead so very much, but once I had a  tankardful, I could not deny there was something that had been missing.

Of course, there are those who know me in Solitude. At least, the way I was presenting myself. And so after a few drinks it was hard to say no when I was lifted up onto the bar by one patron and handed a lute by the barmaid.

As much as I have loved seeing new places and learning new things, there is a comfort in knowing what is expected. I played songs I have played so often, I could do a whole set performance in my sleep. And the crowd was hollering and cheering and dancing.

I remembered why I enjoyed Skyrim so much. The people are so friendly and warm once you survive a few headbutts and downed a few pints.

Tel came over while I was taking a break for a few drinks, they tried to get me to come back to their table to speak, but as soon as I was away for a few minutes, I had people buying me drinks, offering me tips, putting in requests for the next set. It took little time before I was hefted on shoulders and carried back to the bar.

I was glad for the rest I had managed the day before, for I did not get back to the room until near dawn. This morning I am busy. I have to make sure we have all that we need in order to begin our travels southeast. It should take us about a day and a half to reach Dragon Bridge so we can take the pass into the Reach.  From there it should only be another ten to fifteen days to Whiterun, depending on the weather.

The Three guide us safely to Whiterun. Let the pass at Dragon Bridge be good enough to cross through easily. Watch over my companions and I until we have all safely returned to each of the places we call home.