SEE CHAPTER ONE FOR WARNINGS AND NECESSARY DISCLAIMERS.

Context : Still in Emerald Hollow and featuring a bit of a lull between the episode with the common war council and Theo's "fix".

ENVY III

"He's in a mood again," George observes, watching his twin pace the floor of the living room twice in the space of five minutes.

Fred only growls in answer. Because if that hasn't been one of the most awkward half-hours of his life, it certainly ranks well in the top ten!

He hadn't thought it was possible for a romantic cuddle to feel like a mental battlefield, but having a pouting, sulking Harry huddled in his arms was not on his list of favorite things.

"What did he do?" George asks, curious.

"Nothing!" Fred snaps, and then looks irritated at himself for doing so. He throws an apologetic glance to his twin, even though he knows that George won't take it that way. They've always understood each other in that regard. "He just—we sat in the hammock."

For a long moment, George doesn't say anything.

"In the hammock. He didn't want it to rock. He didn't want to move and then he said something about taking a walk or wanting a snack-" and here, Fred trails off. Because he'd been so relieved, he hadn't listened to hear which it was.

There still silence though.

Fred knows better than to think George is actually speechless. His darling twin is most likely attempting to manfully swallow his delirious laughter.

"…But you hate hammocks." George says, a beat later. His voice is suspiciously bland.

"Exactly!"

"…I don't get it." And now, George just sounds confused.

Fred groans. Because he doesn't get it either. He doesn't know if there's anything to 'get'.

"Callistair's offered to attend the 12th day Christmas Feast with our favorite person," Ethan hums, pretending not to notice their little conversation. He's gotten quite good at doing that lately—then again, he's had plenty of practice between his pregnant sisters and cousins. He simply knows when to panic—and when to remain calm.

Fred wonders if that will rub off on them in time. He kind of hopes it does. Otherwise they're all really screwed when the next kid comes around.

Probably in more ways than one.

"Callistair?" Fred repeats, thinking to try and match the question to something appropriate in his head. It doesn't work. Everything's still a muddled mess.

He has a vague recollection that Callistair is the Battle Mage in the Deveraine Circle—more Bhindi's than Bahn's—but in spite of his gruff demeanor, a rather civil sort. Fred doesn't mind him and they can get along well enough, if they have to.

But he still has no real idea what Ethan is asking. Whatever. It probably doesn't matter. He's sure someone will remind him about it later—right now, the main problem is Harry!

"Shall I put down a yes for that?" Ethan continues. He makes a few more scribbles on their floating chart. They've almost got the whole holiday season booked out. There's several necessary parties and clan functions that cannot be skipped and while they can avoid attending them en masse—largely due to Harry's pregnancy—respectable numbers are expected.

"Yes," George agrees. He's comfortably sprawled out on the floor—just within reach of Ethan's feet. He also knows his twin well enough and if Fred will go with Callistair, then he can attend a different party and they'll have knocked out two events at one go. "I'd rather go with Aracle and the others on their visit to the Palmiers."

"Got it," Ethan scribbles something else on the floating chart on his lap. He tallies something on his free hand, frowns and makes a few more scribbles. This was generally easier with all three of them actively attempting to put their heads together, but he knows that won't happen right now. Not while Fred is thinking himself in knots and George is trying to avoid mentally sharing the burden.

Sometimes they can't help when their twin-mind overlaps. They've been apart too long to worry about that and bonding into their Circle has only brought out this particular trait in each of them.

"Gred?" George prompts, when Fred continues to pace up and down the room, slipping deeper into his thoughts. "Don't think about it—"

Ethan tries not to smile. He loves it when they mismatch each other's names this way. It shows a depth of care and concern that allows them to avoid the too-sentimental triggers that might otherwise surface. It's simply them.

And in that note, he never uses them. Simply listens to hear them say it to each other. In this respect, he thinks they are a bit like the Gheyos—proud, but reluctantly cuddled and kissed into grumpy compliance.

"I don't get it!" Fred throws up his hands in dismay. He's thought it through several different ways and can only come up with the answer of nothing. "He was fine and then he wasn't and of all things it just—argh!"

Ethan hides a laugh. He doesn't dare suggest that the reason Fred is one of the most easily affected in Harry's present state, is likely because he is one of the fathers.

Very likely.

Sort of.

Maybe.

It could be one of the Gheyos. It would be most amusing if it was Wikhn, Ethan thinks. Very amusing. It would explain a lot of the current power 'dances' currently happening between those three in particular.

George nudges his foot.

Ethan leans to the side to catch his gaze. He knows his bond must be singing with absolute mirth, if the confusion in George's adorable, hazel eyes is anything to read by. Maybe he can cash in on that—George is so sweet, after all.

"What?"

"Stop it—whatever's that funny can't be good-" George mumbles, but his hand lingers on Ethan's foot—tracing further up his ankle and to the shimmering golden cuff normally hidden from sight.

Ethan's smile softens. He curls his toes to touch George's arm and returns his attention to the list. If he can correctly parcel out everyone, they'll be able to attend all the necessary functions this year—even if Harry doesn't feel up to joining them.

Again, this is NOT TBDH-canon.

I mean to post this earlier, but RL has been a bear this week and I've been fighting a cold. On another hand I had some ideas sketched out for ch 101 and was working them in. Currently doing the snippet bit with our favorite broody hellhound. :P Hope y'all have had a good week!

Wikhn wants to hold a Blood Title, but seeing as Hadrian currently holds one for the shadow element, he's in no hurry to claim it. Harry doesn't care about the titles.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ~Scion