Spontaneous Confessions [R'nd]

T’ryn stood a little taller at the praise and glanced over at Syrendryth who also seemed rather pleased with the comment and had his head held higher than usual. They were an amazing pair and worked hard to stay ahead of the learning curb in class but still did their best to assist others. Some were beyond help but others just needed a little extra guidance or a tip that he had figured out that the instructors didn’t know or want to share. He, of course, always helped N’mor when his friend needed it as well but made sure it didn’t seem like it was done out of pity. His friend was strong and impressed T’ryn every day with the willpower that was shown to carry on and learn to be the best bronzerider ever despite having lost an arm in the landslide. If nothing else, N’mor was the reason T’ryn worked so hard.

“Huh?” Having gotten himself uncharacteristically lost in his thoughts, T’ryn was caught off guard by the laugh and mention of baths but slowly regained his composure, “oh, uh yeah. I guess so? I mean, it’s not like I noticed.” T’ryn frowned as he babbled out an answer, unsure of what he was supposed to say about it or if he was supposed to leave now because he had been dismissed. I noticed, Syrendryth haughtily replied and T’ryn rolled his eyes at his dragon. There was definitely some arrogance in the bronze but T’ryn liked to think they did and always would have the skill to back it up.

“I’ll let you get to it then I only wanted to come over and say…” what had he wanted to say? Did he really think R’nd would want to know his secret? He was already busy and wouldn’t have the time to do father-son things like some normal families in the Weyr did. He probably wasn’t even interested in such a thing. “That that was a great practice and the wing’s turns have really improved.” It wasn’t a complete lie; T’ryn had noticed that when they turned as a unit, it looked much sharper and no one straggled now. R’nya was probably relieved some progress had finally been made.

With a small uncertain smile, T’ryn turned on his heel and started to walk away. He was maybe ten steps out when disappointment set in. How could he back down like that? It was the perfect chance to talk to R’nd and tell him everything. His mother would understand and she couldn’t keep babying him forever, not now with his age and a bronze dragon beside him. So what if R’nd didn’t want him? Would it really change how the bluerider treated him? He was kind and friendly and a decent Assistant Weyrlingmaster when B’jin dragged him along.

“R’nd!” He called out the older man’s name as he turned back but didn’t run back up to him. All of his energy was put into keeping his nerves calm and his mouth moving, not his legs. “I’m your son! My mom is Telerii and she found out she was pregnant with me shortly after you broke her heart and while she told me who my dad was, she always said not to tell you because you weren’t ready to know you were a father yet but you accepted Benden when Volfetti went to you and I could never understand why mom never did.” Blue eyes went wide as T’ryn noticed he had definitely kept his mouth moving but into the realms of babbling like a nervous crazy man. Having stopped his mouth, T’ryn did nothing more but stand there in the awkward silence that seemed to surround him as he waited for R’nd’s reaction. He didn’t even notice the small crowd he had attracted from the lingering wingmates.