Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 12)

"Good thing I brought some." She smiled a little, shutting the door behind her. It felt nice to be invited in, despite the awkwardness.

He sat back down on the bed, body tensed even as he tried to appear relaxed. "So uh...what have you been up to?"

"Emery and I took a walk." Ky held up the honeycomb, holding it out to offer it to him. "We got some honeycomb. You want some?"

"I'd love some!" He nodded eagerly. "Let's split it."

Gods.

"I already had some," she said, unwrapping it for him. She supposed she'd eat more if it seemed like it'd please him. But she didn't want it any more than she'd wanted it downstairs.

"I'm not taking all of your treat from you! We'll share like civil people."

"Okay." Ky forced a little smile and broke off a little piece, then held the bulk of it out to Tomhas. She supposed she wasn't entirely surprised that it was working out this way. But she also supposed she wasn't entirely sorry, either. She'd rather Tomhas witness her eating than Emery.

He took the piece and broke it in half, then handed one half to Ky. "Thanks; you're the best." He grinned. "Gents, want any honeycomb?"
"No sir," one of the soldiers replied. "Thank you, though."

Ky smiled back at him as she took the honeycomb and forced herself to take a painful, sticky bite. A bigger one than she'd managed in the kitchen. For Tomhas. She leisurely settled back into the chair by the bedside.

The other men declined as well, so Tomhas just popped his entire half into his mouth and chewed contentedly.

Ky smiled a little at that, endeared. Then remembered him likening himself to a dog or a horse. And then that's the only thing she could see as she watched him. And it made the mood feel soured.

"That was delicious," he said, satisfied. "Thank you, Ky!"

(I have no memory of that but I absolutely believe it happened)

(…in that case it’s possible I just dreamt it lol my hyper realistic dreams might be striking again but I feel like when they were walking post him getting here pre Gaius fight he was telling her you’ve got to just pretend to be a horse and be like how lucky am I to have this good food or something lol she was Not Amused)

“Of course.” Ky forced a bit more genuineness into her smile, still nibbling at her honeycomb. She was doing her best to eat it quickly. And utterly failing. Her throat felt like it was clenching; not at all amused by being assaulted with food so soon after it’d refused it the last time. “I’m glad you enjoyed!”

(It rings a distant and bell in my head! Actually yeah now that you bring context he did say that)

He dipped his head and settled back on the pillows. "So. What did you and Emery talk about?"

“He mostly just yelled at me.” She shrugged, focusing on swallowing the bite she’d already thoroughly chewed. “But he showed me…” she glanced at the others in the room, then back at Tomhas. “…something cool. That he, uh, said you could, uh, tell me more about. Said you and Gaius are the only ones who know your way around.”