Two days later, the ground was mostly dry. The nights were cold, and frost clung to the world in the mornings. Barret wore his new pants, which Flora was able to finish using the new fabric. They were a handful of different colors, being made from scraps and loose ends, but they fit him very well. Embarrassed and uncomfortable, he mumbled as he thanked her. Flora knew how much he actually appreciated it though, as he kept looking down and smiling. "I think that's the first time anyone has ever made him anything." Trace whispered.
"Well, someone had to show that they cared for him."
Throughout the afternoon, Trace led the group forward, and Zen pulled Keith back a short distance. "We need to talk."
"I figured."
"Natani."
"What about her?"
"'What about her?' You know exactly what I'm asking about. You and her. What are you doing?"
"What we do is entirely-"
"Not what you two do. What are you doing? I'm not blind. You two are clearly perfect for each other. A couple of oddballs who travel the world together, you're both very protective of those you consider family, and you already-" Keith shot him a glare that could have killed a man. Zen smiled. "You forget that it's not even been a month since the link was truly severed. Still, I know you have feelings for each other. I don't need a mental link to know that. So I ask again: what are you doing?"
Keith was quiet as they walked. "I'm… not sure. She's…" There was a heavy sigh. "She's amazing. I've never met anyone quite like her. Laura was my childhood friend, but Natani, she's someone I would want to spend every day with. I can't help but want to make her smile, make her feel like the world is alright. She's someone I could spar with endlessly, someone I could talk to for hours, someone who by just existing near me makes me feel…" he fell to silence with a smile.
"And… how does he feel about it?" The smile left his face.
"I… don't know. I hope she feels the same way. We haven't really talked about it since we left the estate. She's still coming to terms with not being connect with you, and having all of herself back. I know you care about her, and I do too. We will talk about it. I promise." Zen seemed to be satisfied with this answer, as he sped back up to rejoin the group.
That evening, Barret went hunting, as was his norm, and Keith decided to go with, saying he needed some time away from people to think. Flora was sewing something, though even she didn't know what it would be yet, and Trace was tending to the fire. Natani, however, pulled Zen aside. "You were talking to Keith about me."
"Yeah. I want to look out for my sis-"
"You weren't 'looking out for me', you were interrogating him."
"What if I was?"
"I know you. You can't keep out of people's business, you never have."
"Look, all I was doing was asking him a few harmless questions! I-"
"You what?"
"I know how you feel about him!" Natani suddenly fell silent. "It's so obvious a blind person would notice. I wanted to ask him a few questions because I know you want something more with him. You aren't just friends. You forget that we had a link, and I could see your memories, your thoughts, your feelings. I wanted to know if he was right for you. I want you to be happy."
"I… I appreciate that you care about me that much, but this isn't your life. If he's not the right one for me, I'll figure it out myself. And I'll learn from it. You won't always be there. You'll always be my big brother, but we won't always be able to watch out for each other. You have to learn to let go. And I have to learn how to be myself, and only myself. And if that involves me getting involved with Keith, then that's what will happen."
"I know that. And I want to make sure you to find someone who would watch your back even better than I ever could. Because I have to let go. I know you. You're reckless, rash, and a headstrong, but you're also a strong, brave, wonderful person, and you deserve the best." The two were silent for a moment.
"So… what did you learn?"
"I thought you wanted to learn by yourself?" Natani whacked his arm, and they laughed.
"Alright then, keep your secrets. I'll find out myself."
"Zen! Nat! You hungry?" Barret called, and the smell of food filled their nostrils. As they rejoined the camp, Barret was cleaning his knife of blood, three small pelts strung out next to him. "Managed to snatch a couple of rabbits. Shouldn't take too long to cook up, so pull up a log or rock." Keith was sitting across the fire, staring deep into the embers, his mind clearly not there. Zen plopped down right by the fire, but Natani went over and sat next to Keith, staring into the fire with him. She gently pressed into him, and he put his arm around her, not taking his eyes out of the embers.
The evening passed with little chatter, and the camp dispersed to their tents (and Barret to his hammock). As Keith and Natani settled in, she didn't unpack her bedroll. "Issue?" Keith raised an eyebrow.
"No, I just- I wanted to… I was wondering…" He didn't say a word, but pulled her over, and down to their sleeping bag.
"I have something to ask you." The two sat on top of the bedroll, side by side. "What are we? The two of us? Are we together?"
"I'm not sure. I… hope we are. Or else what I'm about to do will be very weird." She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a tight kiss. For a moment, their hearts stopped, the world seemed to fade, and everything that was was this moment. For forever and in an instant their moment lasted. As they pulled away, the world reeled, and they were both left breathless. "Does that answer your question?"
"All of them."
Across the camp, Trace and Flora were settling down as well. "How have you two been feeling?"
"Tired. When we get to Lyn'Knoll, I'm going to lay down and not get up for a few days."
"When we get there, you can do whatever you like. I'll treat you like a queen."
"I like the sound of- oh!" Flora's hand flew to her belly. "I felt a kick!"
"Really?" Trace put his hand next to hers. For a few minutes they were quiet. "I can't believe this one is ours. I never would have dreamed I would have a family like this."
"Sometimes, you find a dream you never had. Those are the happiest moments. I can't wait to be a mother, and you'll be a great father."
"I hope so." Trace hugged her tightly. "I hope so."