The Stables: Wednesday afternoon

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Having no classes, Karal had spent the day working with Trenor. They'd finished, now, were just spending some time cooling down, when Trenor suddenly lifted his head, staring, every muscle tight and trembling.

"Easy, easy, Trenor, it's all right." Karal tried to soothe his horse, looking around to try and spot what had upset him. The only thing out of the ordinary was a slightly tacky statue at the edge of the preserve. "I did not know you were an art critic," he said lightly, trying to lead Trenor away.

The horse had turned into rock, hooves planted, refusing to budge. Karal just shook his head.

When, after several minutes, he still couldn't convince him to move, he reached up to cover both of the horse's eyes. It was only for a moment, because Trenor shook his hands off, but when Karal glanced back over his shoulder, the statue was gone.

Its absence meant Trenor was once more his old tractable self; Karal, however, was staring at the spot it had been.

Comments

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"Sarcasm is never going to be unwelcome," Evey said wryly, moving a little closer. "I'd have to ostracize myself."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"No wonder Altra like you," he said lightly, stepping into her while he curled his hand around her shoulder and slipped his other arm lightly around her. "We'll find a way to help them."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"I hope so," she said softly, leaning into him and willing it to be true.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"We will," he said, closing his arms around her.

He had faith. There would be a way, they simply had to find it. "Will you stay with me tonight?"

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"I was going to ask if I might," she admitted with a small smile.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"That," he leaned back to kiss the tip of her nose, "works out very well."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"Exceptionally so," she agreed, going onto her toes to kiss his chin lightly.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He didn't reply in words, he just kissed her, light and soft, trying to reassure, to remind her that neither of them were in this alone. They had each other.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey needed that -- she needed that reassurance, something solid and soft and normal and real and human to cling to. It was too easy to cast aside the notion that she needed comfort, especially in times of crisis. In actuality, it was times like this that Evey craved contact to remind her of what she was trying to preserve.

She rose onto her toes, needing to meet the kiss halfway, needing to return the sentiment.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal gathered her closer, sensing that she needed this, possibly more than he did (though it was hard to imagine).

He didn't often think about small Evey was, but right now he appreciated it. It meant he could wrap her up completely in his arms.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

She needed that -- she needed this degree of contact, this amount of comfort right now. And of course she'd never ask for it, or dream of it, but since Karal had initiated and Karal was pulling her close and Karal was here, she welcomed it.

Her arms looped gently around his neck, more to provide another branch of contact than anything else.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

His kiss was feather-light now, more just to touch her, everywhere he could, and he cupped the back of her head with one hand, the other rubbing slow circles on her back.

His breathing was slow and even, even if his heart was beating a little bit faster, because he wanted to be calm for her.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Her hand was wandering up to stroke his curls, almost lazy and lethargic. Evey felt calmer than she had -- almost entirely at peace, here in Karal's arms. It was relaxing, almost soothing, to know he was with her.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He slowly let the kiss end, letting out a long slow breath as he lifted his head. He didn't say anything, just rested his head against hers, and kept stroking her back.

This felt like a tiny pocket of peace, just the two of them, where nothing could touch them. He knew it was false, but he didn't care. the feeling was real.

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"Karal?"

Evey's voice finally broke the silence, quiet and hesitant and young-sounding.

"Please don't go near them without me there."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"I won't," he promised, as reassuringly as he could, shaken by how she sounded. "Evey, I won't. You have my word." Karal met her eyes. "And I would ask the same thing of you. Please, don't face them alone."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

She paused for a moment, but nodded. "You've my word. I won't."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

He had an inkling making that promise hadn't been easy. "Thank you," he said softly, voice barely above a whisper, and he glanced down. "I don't want to lose you."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

The faintest shadow of a smile passed over her features. "'Fraid you're stuck with me. I won't be reckless."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

His smile was far from a shadow as he glanced back up at her. "I'm very glad to hear that."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"Me too," she said, almost surprising herself with the admission.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Even with everything that was happening, Karal's smile wasn't going anywhere. "Is there anything else you need to do with the explosives?"

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"They can sit until tomorrow. Better to work in fresh light," she said softly, half-smiling.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Then lets lock up the tack room and go back to the dorms," he said, stepping back. He never locked it, but now his was the only horse, and the tack room had explosives in it, so he thought it would be wise.

The key was hanging on a hook next to the door, and he plucked it off and offered it to her. "You should keep it, I think."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"Are you sure?" She hesitantly took the key from him.