"Kor!!" Aphid shouted, his voice echoing through the night as he sprinted towards his little brother with arms wide open.
"Aphid!!" Kor screamed back, his voice squeaking as he slid off the horse and hurtled towards his big brother, tears streaming down his face like a burst dam. "Bubba!!"
The moment that tender nickname left Kor's lips, Aphid's dam of composure burst as well, and he dissolved into tears, his eyes overflowing with joy and relief. As he swept Kor into his arms, their embrace became a whirlwind of laughter and sobs, their bodies spinning around in a circle of pure, unbridled joy.
Aphid's injured leg gave way, and they both tumbled to the ground, but their arms remained locked, entwined as one. They lay there, lost in their reunion, holding each other tight and weeping with happiness.
"My baby brother," Aphid whispered, his voice choked, as he showered Kor's head and face with kisses. "My baby. My baby. My sweet, sweet baby brother. My little boy. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. Mara's Mercy, thank you. Thank you! My sweet little baby brother! I love you!"
Kor's sobs were all that could answer, his small body shaking with convulsive tears as he clung to Aphid with all his might, reunited at last.
Dahni and Tephelle couldn't help but also shed tears as they witnessed the heartwarming reunion between the two brothers. Even the guard, his eyes glistening with emotion, before he quickly composed himself, ever vigilant of their surroundings. He allowed the family to savor their moment a little longer before suggesting they head back to Morthal.
As they prepared to leave, it was clear that Kor and Aphid were steadfast in never letting each other go again...literally.
Kor refused to let go of his big brother, and Aphid was more than happy to oblige, carrying Kor on his hip as if the boy were a mere tot.
The guard graciously offered his horse to Aphid, so the brothers could ride together, and he took Tephelle's horse instead, while she rode with her husband.
Kor still clung tightly to Aphid as they rode back to the small city, finally finding his voice, he repeated "I love you" to Aphid over and over, just as his big brother had done earlier. Aphid smiled and chuckled, tears of relief continuing to find their path down his cheeks.
As they arrived and the sun rose upon Morthal, Kor's eyes widened in dread as he took in Aphid's battered and worn appearance, now easily visible in the dawning light.
As Aphid dismounted and held his arms out to Kor, Kor slid off the horse and into Aphid's arms, bursting into tears once more, his little body unable to contain all the big emotions he was experiencing all at once.
"Bubba! You're hurt! Please don't be hurt!" he sobbed.
Aphid chuckled warmly, comforting Kor in his arms. "I'm fine, baby. I'll be just fine," he reassured him, kissing the top of his head. He encouraged Kor to look him in the eye, his smile warm and comforting. "I have you back, and that's all I need."
Despite Aphid's reassurances, they did still visit the mender in Morthal, Dahni and Tephelle by their side. While the mender tended to what wounds of Aphid she could, mostly being the acid burns, the group shared their stories of the past week, Aphid toned down his own tales, not wanting to burden or frighten Kor with the horrors he had faced. But Kor was more perceptive than most gave him credit, and he knew his big brother had been through unspeakable terrors.
As the mender finished up tending to Aphid's wounds, Kor's hand never left his brother's, his eyes fixed on his big brother's face. Aphid, in turn, couldn't help but check Kor over himself, like a worried mother who just knows somebody missed something, especially after hearing the tale of the frostbite spider attack and the log roll.
He also learned about the two Bosmer women who had helped them, but when he heard one had fallen to a bandit, he remembered the woman he had slain... The realization hitting him…
He played off the gasp as a hiss from a sore wound…leaving the truth of the horrific accident to himself…
The guilt, he knew, would haunt him… but what would the truth do? Besides, surely the bandits were still to blame in some way.
Aphid swallowed his secret and pulled his little brother into his lap.
He wrapped his arms around Kor, holding him close and chose to simply bask in the joy of their reunion. Kor snuggled deeper, savoring the warmth and love radiating from his big brother.
But as Aphid heard Kor's stomach growl, his parental instincts kicked in. "You hungry, polka dots?" he asked, poking Kor's stomach playfully.
Kor chuckled but shook his head, still overwhelmed by…well…everything.
"I'm fine," he replied, content to remain in Aphid's embrace. But Aphid noticed Kor's slight frame. He'd lost weight.
Aphid had too, of course, from an already rather skinny appearance, but of course a parent's concern was never with their self.
"Have you been eating properly?" he asked, his voice gentle though firm.
He felt Kor lock up, then give a little shake of his head, the boy's voice so small and contrite.
"…no…"
"Kor Bjergsen."
"I'm sorry, Bubba! I've been too worried!"
Aphid's expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding. "I know, sweetface, I know. I'm just teasing ya a little. Didn't you miss my peskiness?" Kor's giggle in return was music to Aphid's ears.
But Aphid's expression turned serious once more. "Now, though, this one is serious. Did you behave for Miss Tephelle and Mister Dahni?"
Kor's face fell again, a hesitance in his reply, as his eyes welled up with tears. Ashamed, as he thought of all the lashing out he had done, especially the attack...
"…n-no, sir… I… I was really mean…I--"
Dahni stepped forward, his voice defensive. "We know he didn't intend—" But Aphid gave a gentle shake of his head and a wink, before tapping Kor softly upon his leg. "Don't you think you should apologize?" he asked, his voice calm but with a hint of command. "And thank them?"
Kor slowly sat up and nodded. "Yes, sir…"
He stood up, his hand still clinging to Aphid's leg, serious about this not letting go, but he fixed his eyes on Dahni and Tephelle.
"Mister Dahni, Miss Tephelle… I'm really sorry I was so mean. I was afraid…and missed my brother…and… Thank...T-Thank..."
Suddenly, Kor's composure crumbled, and he burst into tears, rushing and flinging himself into Dahni's arms. Tephelle joined the embrace, her own eyes shining with tears. "T-Thank you!" Kor sobbed, "Thank you for helping me. For everything, all of it!"
Aphid's eyes, too, spilled with tears as he got up and joined the embrace as well.
"Yes," he whispered, "Thank you. Thank you…so much."
They spent one more night in Morthal, basking in the relief of their reunion, and rejuvenating their weary souls. As they settled in for the night, sharing the inn room with Dahni and Tephelle, Aphid's eyes refused to leave Kor's face as he laid with him in bed, his gaze fixed on his little brother with a mix of adoration and vigilance.
Dahni, however, noticed the depth of Aphid's trauma, the haunted look in his eyes. He spoke quietly from his and his wife's bed across the room, and gently coaxed Aphid to rest, assuring him that Kor was safe.
But Aphid's eyes lingered, his mind racing with the memories of their separation, the horrors he had faced. It took Dahni's gentle persistence to finally persuade him to close his eyes, his body surrendering to the true exhaustion that had been building up for what felt like an eternity.
Aphid and Kor nestled tightly together, though their minds still stirred, their slumbering thoughts seeking reassurance that the other was indeed still there. They stirred occasionally, their eyes fluttering open to check on the other, their hearts still raw with everything that had happened.
At one point, Kor's tears shook him awake, his eyes wide with fear, his voice trembling as he whispered, "Bubba?... Was it just a dream? Did we find you?" Aphid's arms wrapped around him, his voice soothing, "Shh, baby bub, I'm here. I'm real. You're safe."
Kor's sobs continued, though his big brother soothed him until his body relaxed in Aphid's embrace, asleep once more.
Despite the lingering fears and anxieties, their sleep was the most restful they had experienced since their separation.
However, little Kor was still quite sleepy the next day, even after a well needed bath and a very filling breakfast. He just needed a good long rest, one only the presence of his big brother could provide.
He sat curled in Aphid's lap as they sat in a carriage with Dahni and Tephelle, the four of them having decided to move on from Hjaalmarch and head to Solitude.
Aphid wasn't just a carpenter, he was quite a tailor too, like his late Mama. Solitude has quite a tailor's shop there, he had heard, perhaps they needed an assistant?
It'd be a bit of journey, but after everything they've already endured--and conquered, they knew they'd be alright.
Aphid looked down at his little brother as the carriage began its roll forward. Kor was already sound asleep again, nuzzled close into Aphid's chest, cuddling both Aphid's blanket and the precious teddy bear Aphid had made and saved for him.
"That boy simply adores you," Dahni's words were filled with warmth as he gazed at Aphid and Kor.
His face, now free of bandages, revealed he would still have use of both his eyes after all, but the long scar would forever tell the story of his time here. Yet, his eyes shone with peace, his smile warm and gentle.
Aphid's response to his words was humble, his shrug subtle. "Eh, I'm all he's got, so that makes it easy enough." But Dahni and Tephelle's soft chuckles hinted at a deeper understanding.
Dahni's eyes locked onto Aphid's, his voice filled with conviction. "No, Aphid. The way that little one spoke of you, his determination to find you… To him, you set the very moons in the sky, you are the sun to his dawn. Cherish him, always."
Aphid's smile broadened. "I do, Mister Dahni. And I always will."
As the carriage continued on its journey, the day unfolded like a canvas of blue skies and promise. The mists of Hjaalmarch seemed to lift, as if even the world was giving the all clear.
Everything was right once more.
And Aphid would do anything…anything…to make it so, should anything or anyone ever try to tear them asunder again.
A crow's call pierced the air…
The bird landed on the carriage rim, his beak holding a mysterious bloody prize. Dahni's eyes widened in surprise, his scolding words laced with affection. "Blackwing! I don't believe it! You coward of a corvid! Where have you been, you naughty boy!? And what's that in your beak… Wait…yuck…never mind. I don't want to know…"
…End.