Snappish

Writers: Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 27th November 2017

Characters: D'ale, Yanley
Description: Stress makes tempers snap.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 3 of Turn 9

D'ale

Yanley

D'ale put a hand on the back of his neck and squeezed. Then he rolled
it to the side trying to get the crik out of it. He'd been at the hide
work for more candlemarks than he cared to admit. So when he heard the
knock at the door it was a welcome distraction. "Come," he called.

"Hello, darling. You have been skipping meals again," Yanley stepped
in, carrying a food tray.

"Caught me," he half smiled. He was tired to his very bones but he
stood and stepped over to meet her and take the tray. "Thank you," he
said and leaned in for a kiss.

"I barely see you these days, " she said with mild reproach and
responded to the kiss. Of
course, she was terribly busy too, so it was pot calling kettle black.

"I know and I'm sorry," he said. "But 'til now I haven't had anyone to
share the burden. At least I have a new wingthird starting soon."

"I know, I've been busy too," Yanley said and leaned her head against
his chest. "The children must feel like we're neglecting them," she
said with guilty consience.

"That's why they have foster mothers," D'ale said. He didn't mean for
it to sound trite or heartless but he knew how much Yanley enjoyed
motherhood. She'd waited so long for a child that Daley had been a joy
from the moment she'd known she was pregnant. "I'm sorry," he said and
dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

"I know," Yanley answered. She also felt they were neglecting each
other. "Do you think we could steal some time for us, just for us?"
she asked.

He shook his head. "I don't see how, with all these new riders and no
real wingleader I am having to do two jobs. Even with the new
wingthird I'm a bit overwhelmed. " He blew out a heavy sigh and ran is
fingers through his hair. It was getting longer than he normally liked

"You need a hair cut," Yanley remarked, hiding her disappointment.

"Yeah," he acknowledged. "And when do I have time for that," his
fatigue was making him irritable and he turned away from her with a
huff.

Yanley had been just about to offer to trim it herself, she did the
children's hair too. But the words died to her lips. Being brushed off
and dismissed like that hurt. She tried to hide her shock and pain.
This was how her first husband had treated her. Her fingers curled
into the fists. "If that's what you want, Lord Wingsecond. Don't
forget to eat your lunch," she couldn't keep the bitter sarcasm out of
her voice. She twirled around and keeping her back straight, strode
towards the door.

He whipped around and stared at her retreating back. "Forgive me for
being tired _Lady_ Yanley," he snapped back. "I do what I do for the
sake of the Weyr and for the sake of Pern. I thought _you_ of all
people would understand that."

"What the shards you think _I'm_ doing? Sitting idle whole day?"
Yanley snapped back. The words were out of her mouth before she could
think. Of course she understood what he was going thru, which is why
she wanted him to take the break. But she was just too angry and hurt
to _say that_.

"Of course not," he stormed back at her. "But that stung Yanley. I am
_very_ aware of what you meant when you called me 'Lord Wingsecond.'
Brownriders are not Lords, Bronzeriders are. Therefore, I must be
thinking myself above my station or treating you like your former
husband for you to throw _that_ at me. I'm just trying to keep my head
above water here, not personally insult a Lady of the Blood."

Yanley stopped and took few deep breath. Her rigid back softened a
little and she turned back to face him. "You're right, that was
uncalled for. You're not him and I shouldn't let old hurts affect me
now. I'm sorry," she said with much more calmer voice. "I know you
work for two."

He looked at her for a long moment then shook his head. "I'm sorry
too. We both work hard for the Weyr and you're right. I should take a
break."

"You know, it doesn't take that long to trim a hair," Yanley said,
stepping close enough to brush his hair out of his face. "All I need
is scissors, comb and maybe towel so you won't have hairs in your
clothes."

"Or we could do it in the pool. Then we wouldn't have to worry about clothes."

"You know where that leads," she said with a tender smile.

"I do," he said and cupped the side of her face in a loving caress. He
leaned forward and said "I'm sorry," just before he kissed
her.

"Stress makes us both snappish," Yanley said and leaned against his
chest with content sigh.

"And water makes us wet," he grinned. "I think it's high time we spent
a little time exploring the possibilities together."

Last updated on the November 28th 2017

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Snappish