Enveloped in his arms her mind was distracted by the overwhelming sense of home. Perhaps that was why she didn’t freeze outright. Her chin tucked into the space between his neck and shoulder breathing him in until his words weaselled into her rational. [color=#008e02]“Taken… Taken over?”[/color] a mixture of emotions crossed her face.
The slow journey to understanding began like a cold trickle, the pieces coming to her from such a place of pride that it caused her hold to stiffen. With him pulling back to study her, the tension rippled up and across her shoulders and Meg began to draw her arms back.
Her voice was even, though the tone left no doubt that she didn’t approve. [color=#008e02]“You… You mean to tell me... that not only did you not come find me and bring me home, but instead you took over the very thing we wanted out of, and made it bigger, and better?”[/color]
[color=#008e02]“You… you idiot, you selfish, son of a bitch. Why?!”[/color] Without waiting on an answer, Meg clocked him, the jab striking his nose with deliberate force. [color=#008e02]“You could have LEFT, Nairn. You could have found me and we could’ve… we… you could’ve lived instead of doing this and being alone!”[/color]
Nairn watched her wearily, and when she clocked him, he stepped backwards, cupping his nose in his hands. Who the fuck taught you to punch like that? He grunted as he moved past her, to find a towel, not mindful of the fact he'd ruin the towel and anything else he touched until he washed his hands.
He stood over the sink, dabbing at his nose. It's home. He sighed, and once he felt like he was dripping less, he turned to face her, holding the towel to his face. I only ever wanted to leave because of you. His voice was quiet, It took me three years to be up and about. Another year to stop the old man from running it into the ground.
He paused, to check if his nose had stopped bleeding, and tenderly ran his fingers along it, testing to see if she'd broken it. I didn't want to bring you back here. I was always a criminal, but you... She'd always been too good for him. So many people had stated it; and they were right. This was his family. And hers. He tossed the dirtied towel in the sink, and leaned against the counter, staring at her.
[color=#008e02]“I've had a lot of practice over the years, it’s about the only way to keep Ruth in line,”[/color] she growled back. She still shook her hand, pain flaring along the limb in contest with her frustration and inflamed temper.
Narrowed eyes landed on his back, but they softened, shifting away as he confessed the truth of it. His words stung, but she refused to shed more tears, only sniffed and shuffled her feet.
[color=#008e02]“We’ll never know what could’ve been, because you chose for me. That’s not how this works, Nairn.”[/color] Her bruising hand gestured between them. [color=#008e02]“To be Vhenan, is to be equal, in partnership with… you don’t decide my life, my love. I do.” [/color]
Her shoulders rolled, jerking between annoyance and exasperation. Humour won out and she’d snort,[color=#008e02] “A little bit, and good. Be glad I didn’t set you on fire… not that I would, but…. I am mad at you. And I love you. But I’m so… UGH!”[/color] Meg dropped her face into her hands, hiding her face and the quiet growling with the days revelations.[color=#008e02] [/color]
[color=#008e02]“...my hand also hurts so… we’re even I suppose.” [/color]
Nairn sighed, and slowly he moved to kneel on the floor in front of her, even as she dropped her face into her hands. My apologies, salen aestar. A man who was familiar with the feeling of shattering bones, and yet, he would not defend himself from whatever barbs she wanted to throw at him. He is silent, light eyes taking in her form. Though, he had told her as much. It took a lot of focus not to react, when hit, especially with the amount of bar-fights he'd use to get into in their younger years.
And after the silence has drawn long, he spoke up, Your name's on the deed, too. So if you want to sell it... He would. But that didn't solve the fact he was still active within the Coterie. He reached to curl an arm around her waist, silent as he stayed put on the hardwood floor. His free hand reached up, carefully, for the hand that she'd used to jab him. If she didn't yank it away, his fingers gently ran across the back of her hand, testing her knuckles, listening for any changes in her breathing as he checked her hand for injury.
What was this day? Everything was upside down, backwards and she had just gone along with the current. Meg pushed her hands over her face and through her hair. Eyes stared, finding his watching her, though finding him on the floor, sincere in his apology, unsettled her. His use of dalish drawling out in a tone that made her melt, even now when exasperated with him. Meg sighed, her voice quiet, but firm, [color=#008e02]“Don’t… Don’t do it again. I can’t bear it, Nairn.”[/color]
Her brow furrowed, giving him a look as he talked of selling the house. [color=#008e02]“And where exactly are we supposed to stay when I visit? Back in the Dorms? I don’t think so.”[/color] Shaking her head, Meg dismissed discussing it for now. Things were topsy turvy enough without adding in worrying over where he was sleeping when she couldn’t be by his side.
The arm finding its way around her waist grounded her in the moment. She knew he wouldn’t release her until his apology became accepted, so Meg kneeled down to join him, resting a kiss on his forehead. Her hand flinched under his touch. A quiet hiss came from her throat, but Meg didn’t yank it away, only quietly observed the delicate care. [color=#008e02]“...It’s already healing, I’ll be ok in a bit.” [/color]
Nairn sighed as she joined him, almost eye-to-eye. He released her injured hand, and inhaled forcefully. That was a good jab. He couldn't help but grin at her, almost shy. Though his smile faded as he spoke, At the time... this place was a safe-haven from the world outside of here. Not just the Coterie but also the world beyond.
He released his hold on her, and settled flat on the floor, sprawled on his back. The Dwarves used the second room for a while, 'til I could be left to my devices. The younger members of the C pitied me, could see it in their eyes. So, he'd hid himself away in the one place no-one else would bother him.
There was never any pity in the house. Nobody staring at him, offering to help him with simple tasks. I'll leave. One day. I promise. He propped his head up to look at her as he spoke. I wanna make sure they're taken care of.
[color=#008e02]“Yeah, you can thank Colton for the pointers and Ruth for the practice.”[/color] Her grin matched his own, face slowly softening that he didn't hold it against her.[color=#008e02] "Here,"[/color] reaching to run a thumb down over the cartilage, a warm tingling sensation soothing the bruises. She was never known for throwing punches back then, but she’d never been riled and angry enough to warrant it.
It was one of the last thing Colton had done before he left, deciding on freelancing his picking skills than remain taking orders from John-Marc. Ruth's antics had kept her wits sharp. Experiences changed things, but with Megara, some were only marginally. She knew how to hold her own, defend herself enough and shoulder the burden until help arrived, but she still had a tumultuous relationship with gravity and injuring herself.
Listening to the sadness in his voice gave her pause. A safe-haven, yes, but also a self-made prison for his doubts to fester. He deserved a life in the light, walking with his head held high and not sunk, hiding and skulking around in the dark. The promise earned a small smile, even with the clause of him requiring a successor, or heir to truly move on.[color=#008e02] “I know,”[/color] her voice was quiet. [color=#008e02]“You think I’d let you just.. Leave them. They need you and.. Arlathan needs me. I… I’d like to stay there, but...”[/color]
Meg sighed. It was the first place she’d felt as though her work was making a difference, even if the thought of leadership was terrifying. [color=#008e02]“Maybe it’s good this way. For now anyways. I come see you, you come see me. We.. slowly plan our way back home… wherever that is, however it looks.”[/color] She just couldn't lose him. Not again. Not without her there, anyway. [color=#008e02]"I'm in, Nairn, heart, body and... soul.. though.. Well. You aren't the only one with a.. story you should, um know." [/color]
Nairn exhaled at the warm sensation, soothing his bruised nose. Her touch was welcomed. Yeah, maybe it's good this way. Figure out where home together is, later. He listened to her, and moved to stand.
Scooping her into his arms, he'd huff at her words. Tell me your story in the mornin'. I was promised fun, tonight, and while getting punched in the face is one idea of fun... He lean to steal a kiss, as he walked them through the house to the larger of the two bedrooms.
Kicking the door shut with the heel of his foot, they'd settle into bed for the night—though, whether they got enough sleep was up for debate.
