Lover Not a Fighter
They stood not far from the door to Rone's apartment. Theodus' nerves thickened the air around them as he rubbed his palms together and tugged at the hem of his hood. Thane was a patient man by trade, but the loss of Nara Stelak still left him feeling raw and exposed. He didn't wish to rush Theodus, but neither did he want the man to change his mind, so he gave his cousin the space he needed to think. After several, long minutes, though, Thane knew he needed to say something.
"Cousin, if you are not yet prepared … you don't have to do this." Thane prayed Theodus wouldn't accept the offer.
"Yes, you do," Jasmine said, the words void of any real inflection, as simple and straightforward as if it were a matter of fact and nothing else.
Thane frowned despite feeling grateful for her willingness to push the matter when he wouldn't, couldn't do the same. "You may return to the motel if you wish, we can try again another time."
"No, you can't." She crossed her arms loosely over her chest and shifted her weight to one hip.
Letting out an exasperated huff, Thane said, "Siha!"
She grinned and winked at him, her smile a soothing balm to his wounded soul.
Theodus chuckled at Jasmine's antics, or perhaps just her ability to get a rise out of Thane. "I want to meet Kolyat." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'll be fine, I just needed a moment."
"Very well, if you're certain." Thane tucked his hands behind his back and waited, pleased to see his love's ploy worked so well.
Dipping his head, Theodus said, "I am. Shall we?"
Smiling, Thane turned and crossed the distance to the apartment before ringing the buzzer. A few moments later, Drali answered the door and rushed out into the hall, smile plastered on his face, as he headed straight for Jasmine. Instinct and training very nearly took over, driving Thane to protect the woman he loved, but he caught himself before he did something truly regrettable.
Jasmine, thankfully, did not seem nearly as caught off guard by the drell's enthusiasm. She allowed Drali to sweep her off her feet and into an embrace. In his exuberance, he spun her around a few times, which earned him a squeal of laughter from Jasmine. Watching with amusement, Thane and Theodus both chuckled.
Setting her feet back on the ground, Drali pressed a loud kiss to her cheek. "Earth flower Jasmine! What a pleasure it is to see you again!"
Snorting and swatting him lightly on the arm, she grinned at him and said, "It's good to see you, too, Drali."
Thane cleared his throat, a polite play for Drali's attention. He put a hand on Theodus' shoulder when Drali turned to him. "Brother, I'd like for you to meet my cousin, Theodus."
Moving away from Jasmine, Drali reached out and dropped his hands onto Theodus' shoulders, squeezing and shaking the man lightly. "Cousin Theodus." He pushed Theodus' hood back, ignoring the frozen, wide-eyed look on the drell's face, and said, "I'm thrilled to finally meet someone from Thane's family." He flipped a hand, letting the other drop, too. "Aside from Kolyat, of course. Come, the boy has been eager to meet you." And with that, Drali turned, and made his way back into the apartment.
Smiling, Thane glanced at Theodus and waved a hand toward the door. "Irikah's youngest, and certainly the most free-spirited, of three siblings."
"Don't forget the handsomest," Drali called back over his shoulder with a cheeky grin and a wink.
Theodus chuckled and, with little hesitation, followed the other drell inside. Thane thought Drali's personality might do wonders to relax Theodus, indeed. They were both rather playful men, and Drali seemed exceptionally skilled at putting anyone he encountered at ease.
As Thane passed by, Drali caught Thane's shoulder and squeezed. "Welcome home, Brother," he said, soft enough the words stayed between them.
"Thank you, Brother." Thane dipped his head and gave Drali's arm an affectionate pat.
They made their way down the hall to where Rone and Kelena waited, Kelena's pregnancy having advanced far enough it was unmistakable she was with child. Kolyat rounded the corner, likely coming from his bedroom, and his gaze immediately latched onto Theodus' bared face. Kolyat grinned and came to a stop next to his aunt.
"It's my pleasure to have the opportunity to introduce everyone," Thane said, warmth filling his chest. "Rone, Kelena, this is my cousin, Theodus. He is the son of my father's brother, Haset."
Although it did bring him joy to introduce Rone and Kelena, too, all Thane really wanted once Kolyat was in sight was to introduce his son. However, drell custom dictated he first introduce the adults, especially in their own home. So, he waited, giving them the chance to nod to one another and express their happiness at meeting Theodus.
"And this is my son." He moved away and turned to stand beside Kolyat, wrapping an arm around the boy. "Kolyat, meet your cousin."
Kolyat stepped forward and bowed to Theodus, low enough to show respect and deference, bringing pride welling up inside of Thane. "Hello, Cousin Theo," Kolyat said, and Jasmine snorted softly, teeth flashing in a smug grin when he glanced her way. "Meeting you brings me great joy; you are the first of Father's family I have ever met. I hope to get to know you well."
Moisture welled in Theodus' eyes, and he swallowed twice before returning Kolyat's bow, showing the proper respect from an elder to a child. "I am … overjoyed to meet you as well." A tear slipped free, and his hand darted up, swiping it away before anyone could comment—not that anyone would've said a word. He let out a soft chuckle and shook his head. "You are much taller than I'd anticipated, though every bit as handsome."
Kolyat grinned. "Jasmine nearly swooned when she saw me again last night."
She huffed and laughed. "I did not almost swoon. But you have gotten quite a bit taller in the last handful of months."
Thane chuckled, his smile feeling permanently affixed to his mouth. "Indeed, he has. I have no doubt he will soon be taller than I am."
"He gets it from me," Drali said, smirking when everyone glanced his way.
Rone's lips lifted in a faint smile, and he shook his head. "And you get your stature from our father, Brother." Looking over Kolyat, Rone's smile widened. "He does favor Father quite a bit, I believe."
"Yes, well, Father must've gotten his height from someone else, as well." Drali waved a hand, dismissing the notion. "He's not here, though, and I am, therefore, he gets it from his tall, handsome uncle."
"If you insist." Rone's shoulders shook with gentle laughter, barely loud enough to reach Thane's ears. "Please, Theodus, come and have a seat. I will put on some tea."
"You arrived on Kahje early." Kolyat pulled out a chair and took a seat. He kept his voice low, glancing into the kitchen where Jasmine and Kelena prepared dinner. "I wonder if you will still be here for Jasmine's birthday."
"Ah." Thane propped his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together. "No, I'm afraid we won't be." The disappointment on his son's face dug at him with sharp claws until he said. "However, this doesn't mean we won't still surprise her with a celebration." Granted, he knew she wasn't all that fond of surprises, or her birthday, for that matter. He also knew she'd understand it was something he did for Kolyat as much as for her and forgive him. "Why don't you see if your Uncle Rone will allow you to take a walk with me after dinner, and see if your Uncle Drali will join us? We can discuss it in more detail, then."
"What about Cousin Theo?" Kolayt asked, voice even softer. He seemed to grow wiser and more observant by the day. Clearly, he understood Theodus required a certain amount of delicate handling.
"You may ask him if he wishes to join us to discuss a surprise for Jasmine," Thane said, "but you must be certain to accept it if he declines and make it clear to him you will take no offense if he chooses not to."
Kolyat nodded. "I understand, Father. Kahje troubles his mind, it seems."
Thane hummed. "Indeed, it does."
Jasmine stretched out and wriggled her toes down into the sand. The storm finally passed, leaving behind only a soft drizzle, which almost seemed to come from all around instead of the hazy sky above. She'd decided to take some time to herself, leaving Theodus and Kolyat to attend Thane's treatment. They'd spent a lot of time together the last couple of days, talking in hushed tones. She didn't want to pry. Obviously, they had things to discuss that weren't her concern, and she didn't want to be in the way, interrupt their family bonding or whatever. Kolyat seemed pleased by her decision, which, truthfully kinda hurt. She'd thought they'd moved past their issues, but maybe she was wrong.
"You probably shouldn't be out here," she said as Drali sat down next to her.
He kicked off his shoes and crossed his ankles, draping his arms over his bent knees. He held an opened bottle of wine in one hand. "It's not so bad. I can't stand being indoors all the time. Besides, there's good company out here."
"Then you should where one of those face coverings." She waved a hand in front of her nose and mouth. "I forgot what Thane called them."
"Shemagh," Drali said before lifting the bottle to his mouth. "Hard to drink wearing a shemagh."
Chuckling, she glanced sideways at him and held her hand out for the bottle of wine. He passed it over after a moment's hesitation, but she didn't think anything of it until she saw his lip twitch with suppressed smirk. She paused, the bottle nearly at her mouth and narrowed her eyes at him.
"What?" She asked, lowering the bottle a hair. "Am I breaking some sort of social taboo, or …?"
Grin breaking free he shrugged. "You are, but don't worry. I'm familiar enough with humans to know it isn't much of a taboo for you. However, you should know, Thane will be able to smell and taste my venom in you."
"I take supplements to counteract drell venom." She arched a brow in question even though she'd made it a statement.
He shrugged, putting a fingertip beneath the bottle of wine and pushing it closer to her mouth. "Only one way to find out."
She snorted and took a swallow of the fruity, sweet wine before handing it back to him. "It won't surprise him either way," she said. "The first day we met, I drank after him, and he's seen me share things with other people. Food, cigarettes, drinks …. It's sort of a trust thing, for me."
Staring at the bottle in his hand for a moment, he said, "I imagine in your line of work, trust is hard to come by." He glanced at her with the most serious expression she thought she'd ever seen on his face.
She knew he'd learned Thane made his living as a freelance assassin, but she'd bet good money he had nothing to work with when it came to figuring out her choice of profession aside from theories. He was just fishing for confirmation. Which only made her want to toy with him.
"Whatever makes you think so?" she asked, giving him as bland of a look as she could muster.
He took a long, deep pull from the bottle and handed it back to her. "Nothing, I suppose. Forgive me, I must've made an inaccurate assumption."
"Liar. You mean," she said and took a drink, "you've heard rumors your brother is a badass assassin, and now you want to know if I am, too." Turning her attention back to him, she held out the bottle. "Am I right?"
He gave her a chagrined smile and took the bottle. "Perhaps."
"Why? Afraid I might decide to kick your ass and you won't stand a chance?" She grinned and leaned back, pressing her palms into the sand.
His laughter rang out loud enough to startle a flock of birds pecking at the sand nearby, and they took flight. "What is it you humans say?" Brow ridges raised as far as they'd go before he dropped his voice, adding a seductive yet teasing tone to his words. "I'm a lover not a fighter."
She snorted and watched him, not taking the bait. His gaze drifted, and he seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then, his eyes began to move, seeing something that wasn't really there; reliving a memory as only a drell could. He didn't give voice to whatever it was, though. When he returned his focus to her, she was almost able to pinpoint the exact moment he'd worked up the courage to ask her outright.
"Are you?" He didn't look away from her, studying her face with open curiosity and something else she couldn't quite put a finger on.
"Perhaps," she said, choosing to use his own ambiguous term in response.
He seemed to accept it as enough of a confirmation, though. Turning his attention out at the hanar dancing on the waves, he didn't even acknowledge the fact she continued to stare at him. After a moment, his silence started to make her hackles rise.
"Does that bother you?" she asked, fighting to keep her tone neutral. "Scare you?"
He turned to look at her, lips parted, but it was a few seconds before he shook his head and said, "Not as much as it probably should." Shrugging, he took another drink, signature smile coming back to his face. "That is, unless you intend to kill me. In which case, first allow me the opportunity to grovel at your feet and beg for my life."
She laughed, reaching over and shoving his arm. "I don't plan to kill you, Drali."
"Why, because I'm Thane's family?" he asked with a soft chuckle.
Face as neutral as humanly possible, she said deadpan, "No, because no one's offered to pay me to."
Apprehension filled his eyes, slowly contorting his features. The look was priceless, and she thought about taking a picture to tease him with later. Instead, she let out a bark of laughter.
Sitting upright, she folded her legs beneath her. "I'm joking. Yes, because you're Thane's family and because I like you." She put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not going to accept a job against someone I know and care about."
"You have a devious, cruel mind, Earth flower Jasmine," he said with a smile, yet his voice still carried hints of uncertainty. He passed the bottle of wine back to her.
"You have no idea," she said, taking a swallow and then resting the bottle on her knee. "But, I usually just torment myself." Shoulder popping up in a shrug, she added, "With the cruel part, anyway."
"You shouldn't, life's too short for that sort of nonsense." He stood and picked up his shoes before holding a hand out to her. "Come, let me buy you a cup of cinuela; I'm told it's a favorite of yours." He hoisted her to her feet with the same impressive ease Thane might've, despite lacking Thane's sculpted physique, and she internally cursed all drells for their super strength. "To say thank you."
"For what?" she asked, though it didn't really matter, cinuela sounded pretty damn good, and Thane's treatment ought to be over before too long.
He flashed a smile at her, took the bottle of wine, drained the rest of it, and said, "For trusting me."
Thane closed his omni-tool and grinned at Kolyat. "Your uncle is taking Jasmine for cinuela. It will give us more time."
"Good," Kelena called from the kitchen, "I still need a while. I am not at all certain how this is going to turn out."
"Please, allow me to assist you," Theodus said, "I have some experience with preparing human cuisine."
"Then your assistance will most certainly be appreciated!" Kelena laughed, the sound of dishes clanking drifting into the living room. "I have no idea what I am doing, but the baby certainly seems to find it entertaining!"
Theodus chuckled and handed the wreath of flowers he'd just finished weaving to Kolyat and headed into the kitchen. Seeing Theodus truly relax over the last couple of days as well as focusing on Jasmine's celebration helped Thane manage his grief. Of course, it didn't cure his heartache every time he thought of Nara Stelak's body lashed to a travois with vines or the sea carrying her away from the shore, but he thought about her less often.
"Father?" Kolyat put a hand on Thane's arm, drawing his attention back to the present.
"My apologies." He offered Kolyat a reassuring smile before stepping back onto the stool and holding his hand out for the wreath.
Kolyat handed it to him and then held the stool steady, not that Thane needed the extra support, his reflexes were far too honed for keeping his balance on a stool to be an issue, but he'd never say so to his son. Hanging the last wreath, he stepped down and picked up the stool. Kolyat followed him as he carried the stool back to the closet, watching him closely as Thane tucked it away inside.
"Father … I am sorry your friend has gone to the sea." Hesitating for only a fraction of a second, just long enough for Thane to notice, Kolyat added, "Perhaps someday you will tell me more about Alahana."
Wrapping his arms around Kolyat, Thane pulled him into an embrace and kissed his cheek. "Perhaps, but not today. Today is for celebrating the living, and we still have work to do before Jasmine arrives." Easing back, he let his hands linger on Kolyat's shoulders. "Kolyat … I am so very proud of the man you are becoming. Thank you, my son, for accepting me back into your life."