Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 12)

(hahah gotta watch the world burn in the hands of a four-year-old)

There were not many inches between them now and Ky wanted to die. She had her hands straight beside her body to keep from accidentally grazing him. Accidentally reaching out to steady him when he tripped all those weeks ago felt like a crime; she sure as hell wasn't going to hug this man. Ever. And certainly not now that he hated her for good reason.

...although she had helped him up and down the stairs the night of the troll. So she'd already had her arms around him.

But that was different. So, so very different. No chance in hell.

She looked down at Tasia, awkwardly trying to reach down to get a grasp on her arm or shoulder or something to get her far enough away from her legs so that she'd be able to move in a direction that wasn't forward, directly into Gaius. But she was having trouble getting a grasp.

Tadaaki turned towards them about to help, but it took his brain a moment to buffer and comprehend what was happening and how he could actually help the situation, so he hesitated.

Gaius's mind was pretty much on a panicked loop now; he'd hesitated too long for it not to be awkward and his niece was uncomfortable and everyone was uncomfortable and gods, he didn't want to hug anyone at all but the child was pushing them both and she wouldn't let go and he was sure he was going to fall, maybe if he fell just right he'd die and then he wouldn't have to worry about the ensuing chaos.
He just stood there, stiff as a board and making absolutely no move to do anything but stare vacantly into space with a mildly horrified expression in his eyes.

(hahahaha omg drama queeeeene)

Tadaaki's brain finally caught up and he grabbed Tasia with a hand under each armpit and hauled her in the air and away from them, looking between Gaius and Ky apologetically. "I am so sorry!"

Ky instantly took a step backward, then another one for good measure, firmly putting themselves out of each others' arms' reach. Her face was burning with embarrassment.

Tasia was tearing up, also embarrassed and confused as she turned towards Tadaaki when he set her back on the ground. "Why don't they want to hug?"

Ky shifted awkwardly, looking anywhere but Gaius or any of the others. But extra focused on not looking at Gaius.

Gaius snapped back to reality and cleared his throat. "I...don't do. Touching," he offered lamely. "If it can be helped."

"But-but--" Tasia started to argue.

"Don't," Tadaaki chastised. "It's not your place to tell people what they do with their bodies, just like we don't tell you what to do with yours. We never make you hug anyone, right?"

"But I like hugs." She wiped at her eyes.

"But if you didn't want to hug someone, would Papa or Mama ever make you."

She sniffled and shook her head.

"Then do you think you should try to make Mr. Gaius and Ky?"

She sniffled and shook her head again.

"Then what should you say now?"

"I'm sorry." She wiped at her tears, looking at Ky earnestly.

Ky forced a deep breath and a tiny smile. "Thank you. I forgive you."

Tasia looked at Gaius next tearfully. "I'm sorry Mr. Gaius."

Gaius dipped his head to her, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Congratulations anyhow," he said, wanting very much to go back up to his room and curl up under the covers and stop existing.

"Thank you," Tadaaki murmured, nodding to him but keeping his hands on Tasia's shoulders as he physically turned her away from the group. "And sorry again."

"Sooooo," Aashi said, trying to patch things up now that the offender was being led away. She wrapped her arm around Ky, who tensed and glanced at her with a furrowed brow. "Anyway, we really appreciate the offer, Sara. I think Ky and I are both feeling a little... inadequate for the job. So definitely appreciate any tips.”

"I'd be happy to assist! I'm sure you'll both do wonderfully though, even if you didn't have my help. Come, I'll sit near you at dinner so we can talk."

“Perfect!” Aashi grinned and turned down the hall.

Sara followed after her. Gaius maneuvered himself around and limped after her, jaw set.

Ky glanced at him, then sped up to go walk by Sara and Aashi instead. She felt a little guilty — ableist even — but. Well. She didn’t want to walk with Gaius.

"We have a nursery upstairs where the children still sleep," Sara was saying, "but we can get you a custom cradle if you want, anything you like to prepare for the little one!"

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to be a bother like that!” Aashi said. “…if you have an extra one laying around I wouldn’t necessarily mind borrowing that. But I got by without a cradle with Tasia and I could easily do it again!”

"I insist," she said. "There's only one first cradle for a child, and it ought to be a good one--a personal one. We did away with all the old cradles when we had the twins and had our own made."

“Well…” Aashi hesitated, feeling guilty. “That’s very kind of you. You’ve been incredibly kind and generous with us and we appreciate it greatly.”