Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 4)

"It does, thank you!" Aashi said quickly, realizing he seemed to be getting uncomfortable. "I really appreciate your willingness to talk to me about this... and your patience at dinner. I really am so sorry about that. And I'm sure Tadaaki is, too."


"We're going to be okay," Ky said with a nod, though she was trying to convince herself of that. "I will it. We'll get our lives figured out some day and you'll be the world's best husband and father--"

Tadaaki snorted.

"And I'll learn how to be an okay daughter and sibling and niece and a cousin... it's all so very overwhelming."

Tadaaki nodded. "I imagine so. I may have just passed away from anxiety if it was me trying to figure out how to fit in with a bunch of nobles."

Ky smiled at him in the darkness. "They're really just real people... it does still surprise me, though. Like. I'll tease one of the kids or Tomhas or Anneke and they don't get mad at me and just tease back and it's like real-life people with a real-life family... it's nice."

"It sounds nice," Tadaaki murmured. He lowered his knees and turned towards her with his arms outstretched. "C'mere."

"Nu-uh," Ky argued, settling back against the wall and stretching out her arms instead. "I'm the big spoon and you know it."

It was one of the very, very few things she could do for him: letting him be held, rather than be the one to hold someone.

(God that's so sweet)

Tomhas nodded to her with a small smile. "I'm sure Tadaaki understands; he seems to know you well and he was so eager to reunite with you and Tasia. He'll be quick to forgive, I'm positive."
"Father!" Oscar whined.
"Can you hold it until I show Miss Aashi and Tasia to their room, Oscar?" Tomhas asked. Oscar screwed up his face, thinking, then nodded reluctantly. "Okay. It'll be quick, I promise."

( :') )

Aashi returned the smile and dipped her head.

Tadaaki and Ky were mostly quiet, just enjoying each other's company as she held him tight. This was the way they'd gotten through hell together. They couldn't admit to what was really on their mind. They couldn't speak at all without risking Aleth's attention. So they sat in silence and rocked and tried to pretend that things weren't as awful as it seemed.

(This is all I'm gonna have for them they'll go back inside whenever you're ready for Tomhas and Aashi to be done)

(Righto)

They headed up the stairs. "So, what do you think you'll all get up to tomorrow?" Tomhas asked. "Looking forward to anything to do in the North?"

"Honestly, I've just been looking forward to meeting you and your family and Ky -- which, I guess she's kind of part of your family now, isn't she?" Aashi mused. "Tadaaki's so much quieter now than he used to be, but he lights up when he talks about his time here."

"I'm very glad of that," he said genuinely. "And I'm glad Lyra convinced me to help them out. If you are looking for something to do tomorrow, there's a village an hour or so from here with some lovely shops, and here at home we have loads of card and board games from all over the world!"

"That sounds wonderful!" she said brightly. "I'm sure Tasia would love to learn new games and I would, too... and I think Tadaaki would also enjoy that. He would have when we were young."

"Let's all have a go at it, then," Tomhas suggested. "There'll be something there for everyone!" They reached an ornate blue door with a three-pointed arch. "Well, here we are! Your key, madam." He produced a small golden key. "I know it looks fancy, but I promise it's a normal room, and one of the coziest in the Keep. A nice compact hearth and warm furs on the beds. That's a Loquitur guarantee!"

'I appreciate it!" Aashi took the key with a smile. "... do you know if Tadaaki will be able to find it? I don't know where he went."

"I'll track him down for you," he promised. "Worry not! But first I've got to get these little fellows put to bed." Tomhas bowed at the waist, careful to keep Peter close to his chest. "Goodnight, Aashi. It was great to meet you!"

"Thank you!" Aashi smiled at him. "It was wonderful to meet you as well!"

She turned and worked the lock with the key.

Tomhas waited to make sure she got in alright, then ushered his son towards the nearest latrine.

Aashi walked in and shut the door, but stopped short. It was the largest bed she'd ever seen in her entire life. Larger, even, than she'd ever imagined. Tadaaki said they were huge -- but, somehow, she hadn't fully processed what he meant by it all.

She walked over to the bed and carefully set Tasia down in the center, tucking her in, then slipped off her shoes and heavy furs. It was warm in here.

Tadaaki and Ky stayed together a long while -- until they both were feeling better about things. Then they made their way back towards the Keep.

"Thanks for, uh... coming to find me," Tadaaki said. "You didn't have to."

"It's what best friends do," she said, giving him a playful grin.

He chuckled quietly. "That seemed the easiest way to explain it to her."

Ky nodded. "I mean... you're not wrong. I can't imagine I'll ever get as close to anyone else as I did you. Trauma bonding."

"And I you," Tadaaki agreed. "We needed each other, I think."

"And I think we still do, honestly." Ky pulled open the door of the keep and waved him in. "Where do you think everyone went?"

"I don't know." Tadaaki shrugged. "You're the one who lives here."

Ky snorted. He was right. But she still didn't know what had happened after she left the dining room.

Tomhas got the children to bed and, intending to find Tadaaki and Ky, went off to the library. He wasn't sure that was where they'd be, but part of him was still intensely worked up by that conversation and by the events at dinner. He hadn't let Aashi see, but his palms were bleeding from where his fingernails had dug in, and he was still shivering uncontrollably. His teeth clattered together as he opened the door of the library, and he steeled his jaw to stop it. He paused as he saw Ana sitting beside one of the armchairs, which was occupied by Gaius. Another armchair held Anneke, who looked about ready to drift off to sleep.
Gaius had a distinctive green tint to his already pallid face, and his eyes were slightly glazed. He was rubbing absently at the scar running down the length of his right hand as Ana spoke quietly to him. Nevertheless, he did seem to be paying attention to her words, evidenced by a slight tilt of the head towards her.
"I had no right to say what I did in the sitting room," she was saying. "I know you better than that and I know how strongly you feel things, Gaius. It was stupid of me."
"It was," Gaius agreed, voice hoarse. "But we haven't seen each other in a long while, and you were tired. I can't be angry at you over one mistake, can I?"
"You certainly can." Ana looked up as she saw Tomhas. "Oh, hello, dear."
"Hello." Tomhas waved awkwardly. "Er, sorry to interrupt, Auntie. Have any of you seen Tadaaki or Ky around?" Ana shook her head.
"I've not been in much of a state to be taking in my surroundings," Gaius replied, leaning back in his chair. "I'd check somewhere isolated, though."
"Yep. Good thinking." Tomhas approached Anneke and rested his hand on her stomach, then kissed her forehead. She stirred.
"Hm?"
"Hi, dearest. Sorry to wake you--have you seen Ky or Tadaaki?"
"Oh, no. I've been here with Auntie Ana. Sorry." She yawned, wincing as her back cracked. "Perhaps we three should get up to bed. Sara will be waiting for you, won't she Gaius?"
"Probably." Gaius looked ruefully at his cane. "Not sure I want to risk standing up just yet; I've just settled myself."

"It's getting kind of late," Ky stated the obvious.

"Sorry to keep you up," Tadaaki murmured.

Ky shrugged. "I don't sleep much more than you do."

"What makes you think I'm not sleeping?" Tadaaki lifted an eyebrow as he looked down at her. He wasn't, but that was beside the point.

"Other than the fact neither of us sleeps?" Ky asked, also lifting an eyebrow. "Just a hunch I guess."

Tadaaki gave her a rueful grin, then sobered. "You are sleeping at least a little better, aren't you?"

She nodded, also taking on a more serious demeanor. "I am sleeping better it's just... I mean, you know how it is. My brain always half-expects him to be standing over me if I close my eyes."

Tadaaki nodded. He did know how it was.