Wine and Woes

Writers: Halyonix, Heather
Date Posted: 28th October 2026

Characters: Th'alin, K'thyr
Description: Th’alin and K’thyr discuss past relationships and their children’s current ones.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 16 of Turn 13

Th'alin

K'thyr

Athyria was staying with her fostermother that sevenday and with both boys occupied with their growing adult lives, K’thyr found that he had more and more time to himself in their weyr. But that rarely meant he was alone for long. }: Th’alin is here, :{ Eometh said as he made room for Keth to land, rumbling an affectionate welcome to his clutchbrother.

“I hope he brought food. I’m starving. And this wine isn’t going to drink itself,” K’thyr said as he went to find some glasses.

As if Th’alin bringing food was ever in question. The brownrider walked into the weyr with a basket in one arm. “I hope you’re in a sandwich mood,” he said. He’d slow-roasted a porcine shoulder and then sliced it expertly before placing it between a couple of slices of homemade bread with a sauce he’d concocted himself.

“Oh, you’ve got out the good stuff,” Th’alin remarked with a glance at the bottle of wine on K’thyr’s table.

“It’s a restday tomorrow. I figured we could stay up late and get drunk enough to fall off our ledge or something.” Not that either of them would do it but it was a common joke from their weyrling group since a few of them had definitely done that more than once. Thank Faranth for fast dragons.

He sniffed the air, scenting the food. “Sandwiches? What kind?” It didn’t matter because he would eat it. He was already moving towards the other brownrider, trying to peer into the basket.

“Pulled porcine,” the other brownrider answered. “Even made a side of tuber chips, just for you and your refined palate.”

“You wonderful man,” K’thyr said as he grabbed Th’alin’s head and planted a loud kiss on the other brownrider’s temple. “Why Yremia let you go, I will never understand,” he added. His tone was teasing but he knew that the subject matter was not as light. While Th’alin hadn’t minded the separation, Yremia had been very vocal in her reasons why they had parted -- something that K’thyr didn’t agree with, but then again, he knew a different side of Th’alin. “Did you use that new hot sauce they brought in from Sunstone?” he asked.

“I made some with and some without, so we could give it a proper taste test,” Th’alin said as he smoothed his hair, having been mussed by K’thyr’s hands. “I’m sure Yremia is much happier now, although I wager not as well fed.” The brownrider’s lips quirked sideways with a smile. He wasn’t the sort to swagger about with confidence, _except_ where his cooking was concerned.

“More for me then.” K’thyr took the basket and set it on the counter. He immediately began doling out sandwiches and chips, saying, “Pour yourself a glass while I get this.”

The mention of Yremia had Th’alin deep in his thoughts as he poured himself some wine. His weyrmate of more than a decade. She had finally left him, seven turns ago, accusing him of being too quiet and not ‘passionate’ enough. The barbs of her insults had stuck him deep, and he’d never fully pried them out. Had he been _passionate_ about her? He had loved her the best way he knew how. Was that passion?

He didn’t think of her often, not at this point, with their children being twenty and seventeen, but when he did, it was hard to let go.

“You’ve got that look to you,” K’thyr said as he came over to set down the plates. It was a look that didn’t bode well, a look that said they were going to be talking about unpleasant things. Which, K’thyr didn’t mind, for any of his friends. Th’alin especially.

Th’alin shook his head and waved off the concern. “It’s just the mention of Yremia. Whenever I think back on the end of that relationship, I feel as though I’m looking at a problem I can’t solve. I hate not being able to solve a problem. Even after all this time.”

His longtime friend immediately reached over to grip his hand in a hold very quietly but quickly told Th’alin that K’thyr was there for him and was never letting go. “You aren’t a problem,” he said, pulling on how Yremia had blamed Th’alin unfairly. “Sometimes people grow apart. There’s nothing to solve about that. It just is.”

Logically, Th’alin knew that was true, but his parents hadn’t grown apart, and they had been together for decades now. The brownrider squeezed K’thyr’s hand in silent thanks. “Okay, enough of that; we’re supposed to be getting drunk enough to fall off the ledge or something.”

K’thyr wagged an agreeing finger. “Without the actual falling off the ledge bit,” he said. He grabbed a glass, clinked it against Th’alin’s in toast, and then bit into the sandwich after taking an obligatory sip. “It’s okay,” he said while chewing, “we can be bachelors together. E’rian’s had more luck than I have on that front. Maybe I need to be into guys.” He suddenly hummed as the flavors filled his mouth. “Oh, that’s good. That’s really good.”

“So E’rian _is_ into guys?” Th’alin asked, opting for one of the tuber chips first.

“That’s what his brother says. Apparently E’rian had a boyfriend for a few months last Turn but was scared to tell me. Or anyone, really. Tyakerian walked in on them. I’m not sure if they’re still together though.”

“Scared to tell you? Why?”

K’thyr’s chuckle started low and then grew louder. “Because what kid wants to admit to their parent that they’re having sex? It’s almost as bad as knowing that your parents _also_ have sex!” Granted, Weyrbred kids grew up in an environment that accepted sexuality well but people were people and not every person liked to loudly make it known that they were getting naked with other people.

“Oh, I thought you meant he was scared to tell you he had a _boyfriend_, I wouldn’t expect him to go into more detail than that.” Th’alin picked up another tuber chip. “I _wish_ Themrian had been more… discreet when he’d started dating, but alas, he must take after his mother in that respect.”

“Young boys -- sorry, young _men_ are going to sow that seed one way or another sometimes,” K’thyr remarked with another chuckle. “Not that you or I were like that, I don’t think. I think I was too afraid of someone finding me in the middle of it!”

“I found Yremia too quickly to do much sowing… Sadly,” Th’alin grinned a little, not that he’d done an incredible amount _after_ Yremia. Outside of flights, casual flings didn’t interest the brownrider very much, not when he had family, friends, and cooking to fill his time.

K’thyr’s nose wrinkled, which was all he needed to say about bringing up the greenrider again. “I think you and I aren’t the type, honestly. I was too busy with my studies as a youngster. Even after Tsatya…” K’thyr waved his hand in a weak effort to dismiss the topic and the dull ache that came with it. “Anyway. Good for E’rian and Themrian. Living it up a little bit for us.”

“We’ll be grandfathers before we know it… I may need more alcohol to chase that thought down.” Th’alin held out his empty glass.

With a laughing groan, K’thyr refilled his friend’s glass. “Please, don’t bring that up. I don’t have nearly enough gray hairs for that!”

Last updated on the November 2nd 2026

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Wine and Woes