Since Now

Writers: Devin, Dana
Date Posted: 18th July 2007

Characters: N'vanik, Traelyn
Description: N'vanik comes to Trae to apologize
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 25 of Turn 4

N'vanik

Either Nyith was settling down or Loseth's sweet talking had been particularly good. N'vanik made a little bow to the Queen as he entered the Hatching Grounds and then made his way across the hot Sands, thankful for the thick soles of his boots. He stopped in front of Trae, not sure what kind of mood she was in. "Hey."

Putting her hide aside, she glanced up at him. "Hey."

He smiled, a little uncomfortably. "About the other night . . . that wasn't very sensitive, huh?"

"No, N'vanik." Sighing, she brought one knee up, locking her hands around it. "Not really." Then she shrugged a shoulder. "But then, subtly has never been one of your stronger points."

"Trae . . ." He sighed. "I still care about you. I don't want you to think you're just another lay."

A brow rose. "You have a wonderful way of conveying that sentiment."

His shoulders sagged. "Oh, come on! I'm tryin' here."

She rubbed her hand tiredly over her face. "I know." And she wasn't angry with him--not really. Traelyn had come to realize certain things over the past few days--only to have those realizations trampled and the shards thrown back at her hard enough to cut. She was weary and confused and weary of being confused. "I just... I didn't sleep very well last night." When she looked up at him, her expression was rueful. "I don't mean to take it out on you."

"Maybe we could have a good yelling match." N'vanik smiled. "For old time's sake."

"Or maybe you could sit down next to me and offer to massage my aching shoulders. After all, it's the least you can do, right?" A small smile of her own tugged at the corners of her lips as she patted the spot next to her.

He chuckled and sat down, placing one hand on either side of her neck. "I kinda miss the fights."

"We definitely had some real winners." Deftly she moved her long braid out of his way. "We've kind of mellowed, haven't we?"

"Yeah." He pressed a kiss to the side of her neck as his fingers worked at the knotted muscles.

Traelyn stiffened just slightly, and she closed her eyes, hoping he'd think it was because of the awful knot in her shoulder. "I'm kind of glad, N'vanik."

"Hmm. I do miss the making up part, though," he teased.

"You would," she snorted, a grin finally twitching at her lips as she let herself fall back into their familiar bantering. And she could remember those "making up" moments quite well; him shoving her up against the wall, kissing her hard, or pulling her down to the floor...or her pushing him back onto the bed with a growl, baring her teeth at him when he growled back.... "I could never tell who snarled more, you or me."

"I know who started more fights." His hands shifted, thumbs moving in circles along her shoulders.

"So do I."

N'vanik snorted and then grew serious. "I was trying to push you away."

She turned her head to look at him, surprised that he would admit such a thing to her. Traelyn had known--or guessed, rather--but to hear him say it... "I was getting too close?" she asked softly.

"Yeah."

"Something must've changed your mind."

He shrugged uncomfortably. "I'm starting to realize that maybe it's not so bad."

"It can make you vulnerable," she murmured, thinking back to her conversation with Talryne. "But sometimes....sometimes it's worth it." Traelyn gave him a small smile. "If you find the right person."

His cheeks warmed and he looked down. **Shards, what am I? Fourteen?** N'vanik cleared his throat. "I hope it is."

She just kept on smiling at him, but inside, something wilted. Shards, she wanted what seemed to be developing between N'vanik and Talryne so much... And U'kaiah hadn't seen it. He'd misinterpreted her actions last night, and this morning. Sighing, she tilted her head to allow him better access to the side of her neck.

"Are things here relaxing for you a little?" he asked, continuing his massage.

"Relaxing?" A wry smile curved her lips. "Shards, N'vanik. I'd do just about anything for one, scorching day of true relaxation." Shaking her head, she studied her nails self-consciously. "Nothing in me can relax."

"I guess not," he said quietly. "Things are pretty bad over there, aren't they?"

She nodded wordlessly.

He hesitated for a moment, then put his arms around her.

A small smile quirked at her lips. "Since when have you become so touchy-feely?" It was a gentle tease, but she allowed herself to lean back against him, accepting his offer of comfort.

"Since now, I guess." He kissed her brow.

Last updated on the July 18th 2007

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Since Now