Medli blinked as her husband joined her in the crowd. "I thought you were going to participate."
"I was," Revali answered. "Then I saw our son was participating…" he cocked his head, sizing her up. "You didn't happen to know about that did, you?"
"I did," she answered honestly. "He wanted to surprise you and asked me to keep quiet about it."
"Heh…" he chuckled as he turned back, watching the skies. The competition would be starting any minute. "It was a surprise." Her Champion wore a small, proud smile as he waited patiently for the archery competition to start. Komali had been planning to take part in the bi-centennial contest for a little over a year, as far as she knew. Their child, just like his father, had grown quite skilled with a bow, though he still had a ways to go before he would be able to match Revali.
"Are you sure you don't want to compete?" It had been quite some time since the last time Revali had taken part in the contest. He had won in his adolescence; however, the Great Calamity had prevented him from competing in the following two events. With his return, it had been assumed that he would be taking part again and winning quite handily. As far as she was aware, her son hadn't even been rumored to be taking part. Now, she could hear the quiet murmurs from the crowd around her as they gossiped about her husband's presence with them.
"I've already won. Now, I want to see him have his chance in the spotlight." Over the years, her husband had become far milder in terms of attitude, which was quite the blessing. He had always been kind to her but she had not been entirely unaware of his general behavior toward others. It was a blessing to see him so interested in the success of another, especially when that other was their child.
She leaned in, nuzzling him just a bit as she set her head on his shoulder. A low, satisfied trill sounded from beside her.
"Do you know what he plans to ask for if he wins?"
"He wasn't sure," Medli murmured, suddenly fighting the urge to sleep. Leaning against him as such always made her think of the days after she had laid Komali's egg. The bitter cold at the time kept her at home and very close to her nest. During that time, it wasn't unusual for her husband to slip in next to her after a long day. She had particularly fond memories of those days, as they would lay side by side for hours, simply talking and enjoying each other's company. Those were the days when she had really gotten to know him. "I think he was leaning toward a music studio."
"I'm glad. He would be quite good at it."
"I think so too. Did you hear his and Kass's last practice session?"
"I did. He definitely takes after you," Revali replied warmly. "I hope it's a place for all of you to continue practicing."
"He takes after you too." Medli finally straightened, worried that she would miss something if she continued leaning into him. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone else as determined as the two of you."
Looking over, she found him still watching the starting line intently. If he hadn't just been talking to her, she might have thought nothing else existed. After a few seconds, he tore his gaze away long enough to look at her. "Is something wrong?"
"No," she answered with a small shake of her head. "I just like seeing you so excited for him."
"..." Her Champion turned back to the starting line, gazing just as he had moments prior. "... I wish his grandfather was here."
"Oh?" Medli asked, suddenly very wary of the potential turbulence that could arise in the conversation. Revali had always been touchy about his own parents and could be quick to shut down if they were ever brought up in conversation. It didn't help that he had learned of them coming back to find him during his time serving as Medoh's pilot. Much of his hurt and anger was gone but she had learned to be careful to not say too much when they came up.
"I just think Daruk would be proud of him," Revali answered.
Medli breathed a sigh of relief before agreeing heartily. "Oh, yes he would!" she paused for a moment before adding quietly "And he'd be proud of you too." She had come to discover that Daruk and Urbosa both had come to fill the void his parents had left, even if the words he chose didn't always reflect it.
"... I hope so." No more words were exchanged between the two, even when they noticed Teba and Saki standing a short way off. They merely exchanged a glance with their friends, neither needing to explain to the other why Teba was watching as intently as Revali. The white-feathered Rito had not been shy about sharing that his own son would be participating.
Eventually, the start of the contest was announced, with Medli exclaiming excitedly as she watched her child take flight with bow in hand. Though her husband said nothing, she could feel the pride radiating from him as he watched Komali soar. If she were being totally honest, she truly didn't care whether he won or not. She was merely content to watch him strive to be the best he possibly could, just like his father.
