Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 11)

(Holy fuuuuck)
(TFW the ‘good brother’ is actually kinda a dirt bag)

Ky felt more secure now that she was in her room rather than witnessing that blood bath. But she couldn’t help but feel like an asshole for having already laid into him for it.

Her emotions were very, very confused.

(Legit
Heart of gold but kind of shitty)

"I don't have to take this right now." Tomhas jerked open the door.
"You'll take it at some point." Gaius made no move to stop him. "One day there are going to be consequences that finally get through to you. If it isn't the lives of your soldiers then I dread to think of the sort of pain you're going to experience eventually."

She sat down on her bed and pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Was… was she wrong to be upset with him? She didn’t want everyone to be against him. Didn’t want him to feel bad about himself. But. Gods. He was sure making it hard to be on his side.

Tomhas shook his head. "This isn't what I expected you to say."
"No? What did you expect, then? You thought I'd be glad you abandoned--"
"Stop using that word!" Tomhas stalked out of the room and slammed the door so hard it shook.

Ky flinched as she heard the door slam, and slid even lower into her blankets.

Gaius stared at the door, feeling pressure creeping into his head as anger burned in him. His brother was going to lose people if he wasn't careful. And he wasn't being careful. He might even lose Ky if he kept at it. Ky wouldn't be able to take that.

She had an overwhelming desire to disappear. To sink so far into her bed that she vanished from sight. To pretend that she wasn’t squandering her time with her father.

Tomhas stormed toward the infirmary, scrubbing at his eyes, which were threatening to spring tears.

(Aww buddy)

Tadaaki had by now heard about Tomhas’s arrival and was wandering around looking for Ky to be sure that she had heard as well. She probably had. But. Well. Needed to make sure she squeezed out every single moment of time she had with him. He made it to the top of the stairs on the fifth floor, hesitating as he realized there was someone coming toward him.

Tomhas blew right past him, then paused and turned, then kept going. He'd have time to say hello when he wasn't a mess.

Tadaaki blinked at him. “Are… you…?” Should he just let him go? He looked like hell. Where was Ky?

"I'm fine!" Tomhas raised a hand in greeting but didn't stop walking.

Ah. So. Like father like daughter, eh? Seeing as he was definitely not okay.

Speaking of… where was she?

Had they already had a fight?

Gods.

He sighed and started for her room.

Gaius had paced a bit more until his arms had grown tired of leaning on the clutches, which happened quite quickly. He sat down on his bed, rubbing his beard. After a moment he got back up and limped to the washroom, where he got out his shaving glass and razor.

(Aww buddy </3)

She tensed as there was a knock on her door.

She didn’t want to talk to anyone right now.

She… she needed to think. Or… she needed to stop thinking. Or… she just needed some time.

“Ky?” Tadaaki called softly, knocking again.

That was almost tempting. But she still didn’t answer.

“…Ky…?” He sighed again, almost certain she was in there. “…I’ll be in my room if you need me.”