[G] [P] 743.05.09 | Congrats All Around

He didn’t know how he had managed to survive the last few weeks since winning Malvayth’s surprise Flight. He expected and even laughed at the teasing from Zelly, knowing it came from her excitement at Xyxyth winning and her own way of making him stop thinking so much about it. But it felt like everyone he crossed paths with had to say something as well and all of the attention was getting to be too much. So he hid as much as he could for nearly a week.

Despite his cooking having improved a lot and how he still let Zelly use his kitchen whenever she wanted, A’tay still made frequent trips down to the dining cavern, doing his best to keep his head down and not be noticed. Sometimes it worked. When he did, he was even able to linger a bit and watch everyone else. He knew if he hated being focused on that maybe others felt the same way but he also knew how entertaining other people were and he couldn’t help himself. But that was also how he found out about what was happening at other Weyrs. Some of it was actual news but most of it was pure gossip and often hard to believe. Some of it made him lose his appetite for several days as he obsessed over what it might mean and how he really felt about it.

It took a while longer of general dodging of well-meaning people and hiding from the rest before A’tay finally decided he needed to visit his best friend. They hadn’t seen each other for a while as Zezeth was grounded by an injury and A’tay simply didn’t want to get in M’quel’s way too much since she had a boyfriend and her craft to focus on. But they sent letters constantly via firelizard like they had done for years since they always seemed to end up in different Weyrs. He was going to transfer to Fort after he graduated to be close to M’quel and help with her Papa but then she Impressed at Ista… before returning to Fort. Ista had grown on him and he had friends and most of his family in Ista now so transferring wasn’t a top priority anymore.

It was early afternoon when he arrived at Fort Weyr and once the chill of between had been shaken off, A’tay found it was a fairly nice day as well. Not like Ista, but comfortable. He understood why M’quel and Zezeth were at the lake—though from what he heard, it was a favourite location of his friend. He smiled and waved as Xyxyth gave a bugle of greeting himself as they landed not too far from where the green pair was just finishing up with their oiling. It seemed his surprise visit was well-timed. Hi, DiDi! Hi, Zezeth! You both look lovely today! Xyxyth greeted cheerfully, showing he was still his energetic and friendly self despite winning his first gold Flight not too long ago. At least that hadn’t changed, though it was still early on.

M’quel had been a bit worried about gossip after T’ryn had mentioned it before leaving, and while she wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed about what they had gotten up to, she didn’t really want to upset her Papa, either. In the end, though, he hadn’t noticed – he’d been having a bad day – and a rather stern look from R’nya (who had turned a look of soul crushing disappointment on M’quel) was enough to hush up the immediate Weyr population. Of course, she knew that wouldn’t stop word from spreading to areas where R’nya and Jajojin weren’t around, but M’quel didn’t really care about that. She just didn’t want to upset her Papa… though she’d also prefer not to have R’nya looking at her like that again.

D'hys’ expression had been much more interesting, though. She had a feeling he was proud of her, though he didn’t talk to her, and she was too busy to seek him out. Especially when T’ryn came to visit – they stayed in her weyr that time… and the next couple, too – but it was no less delightful than the first time, maybe even more so, as they got a good handle on what it was the other really liked, and got to know each other in very delicious, intimate ways. M’quel was delighted by the change in their relationship, though had faced a rather confusing time with N’lis as a result.

While the young bluerider hadn’t actually come out and said anything, M’quel wasn’t completely oblivious; she’d noticed he was upset and had asked him what was upsetting him. She honestly, however, hadn’t expected the answer to be her. They hadn’t fought, mostly because neither of them were that type of person. But M’quel hadn’t been faking her genuine confusion by his admittance, and they had talked. She’d apologised for hurting him – that had never, and would never, be her intention – but that she hadn’t realised they were supposed to be exclusive (outside of Flights, since those obviously didn’t count) and that she’d thought he’d known that, since she’d made no secret of her time spent with D’hys. But more, that she didn’t want to be exclusive with him. She adored him, and adored their time together – both clothed and naked – but she adored her other friends, too, and she wanted to spend time with them both clothed and naked, and she hoped he could understand.

He said he did, but M’quel wasn’t really sure if he was being honest, or just saying what she wanted to hear. In the end, she decided to take him at his word. If he wasn’t okay with it, he should have said so, and she wasn’t responsible for his happiness (or lack thereof) if he chose to lie about how he was feeling. It honestly never occurred to M’quel to feel guilty about what she had done with T’ryn, and so she continued with her usual buoyant mood, her genuine joy in life, as she tended to her dragon, her Healer lessons, and assisting where she could in the Infirmary. She even took time to make sure she visited with Rhaedalyn and the children, though she was a little skittish around R’nya until she was sure he wasn’t going to glower at her again for having sex out by the lake. With a bronzerider. Whose dragon was mated to a Weyrwoman’s. Apparently, there was all kinds of politics involved with that. But honestly.

What she had done, however, was make it up to Zezeth the day following Malvayth’s flight, giving her green dragon a scrub from nose to tail tip, and then spent several long hours oiling her, more than once, to make sure her beautiful hide was as soft and subtle as ever. Zezeth had positively glowed that day, and M’quel had been more than a little proud of her work. Unfortunately, it had the effect of making Zezeth desire more routine cleaning, and so, M’quel found herself at the lake almost every week, maybe every 10 or so days if she could convince her dragon she didn’t need upkeep just yet. That day was day eleven, and Zezeth had had enough of being put off, thank you very much.

Both young woman and young green looked up at the sound of a familiar dragon’s voice, and Zezeth gave a bugle of her own, flaring her wings in greeting while M’quel waved enthusiastically, tossing aside the rag she’d been using to buff Zezeth’s glowing green hide. “Hello Xyxyth!” M’quel cried out happily, before throwing herself bodily at A’tay, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. It felt like a million years since she’d last seen her best friend! M’quel pressed a kiss to his cheek, and let herself slide down his much taller body so she could wrap her arms around his waist, refusing to let go as she beamed at him. “TayTay!” she said, greeting him at last, “it’s been forever!” She gave him a squeeze around the middle again.

Hello Xyxyth, Zezeth said in her low, rumbling and gravelly voice. M’quel smiled at the sound of it, and positively beamed when her dragon turned her gaze upon A’tay and spoke to him, too. Hello, TayTay, she said softly, and moved closer to the bronze, nuzzling at Xyxyth’s cheek with her dainty nose, and then spoke again, Do you have to beg like I, to get your human to bathe and oil you frequently? she asked, her tone haughty, but clearly she was teasing her rider as she spoke. She included A’tay in her comment, because she liked the young man and he was Xyxyth’s special human, so clearly, even if she didn’t know him, he would be perfect.

A'tay laughed and feigned being crushed in M'quel's mighty squeeze of a hug. He missed those hugs! It had really only been about a month or so and he was mostly to blame for that since Zezeth couldn't travel, which was why he returned the hug with as much ferocious energy as he received. It also helped to ignore the pang in his heart, knowing the hugs and little kisses to his cheek would be all he ever got from his best friend. She had never said anything about the thimble-kiss he gave her years ago and that said everything. Now she was dating N'lis and fooling around with D'hys. And his brother. The truth sometimes hurt but he would survive. He still had her as his best friend and didn't want that to ever change.

Only sometimes! He's pretty good at knowing when it's needed or would be a lovely treat. Xyxyth returned the nuzzle and poked M'quel with the tip of his tail in greeting since thr humans were still all wrapped up and not giving them proper hugs.

A'tay laughed again as he saw the tail maneuver and reluctantly let go of his friend to tend to Zezeth, giving her a light but affectionate pat to the snout. "Hi, Zezeth. How's the healing going? DiDi said in her last letter the sail should be strong enough for you to fly together soon. Maybe next time you come to Ista we can go to the beach." He blushed a little at the invitation as he still held some fear of the ocean but actually entered it now. Zelly had worked hard to teach him to swim the last year and help him conquer the fear. Going under could still trigger memories but if he stayed above, he had a lot of fun.

M’quel regally ignored A’tay’s pretending to be squished, but did gasp out in mild surprise when he crushed her to him in response – not because she didn’t enjoy the hug, but because she was slightly surprised by it. M’quel giggled when Xyxyth’s poked her with his tail, letting go of A’tay as reluctantly as he released her, before closing the distance on the bronze dragon. M’quel rolled her eyes and made a great show of huffing at Zezeth’s haughty comment, but grinned even as she brushed her hands over Xyxyth’s face, scratching at his eyeridge affectionately when he lowered his head enough for her to reach.

I am almost whole again, Zezeth said with quiet assurance, turning to look at her wing, which she held out daintily so they could see where the repair was. It was just a sliver of a scar, now, and M’quel was quite sure they would be fine to travel if they decided to – it was just that Zezeth had insisted upon a bath and oiling that day, instead of anything else they could have gotten up to. Swimming at the beach would be lovely. The sun is not strong here. She didn’t dislike the weather at Fort, but it wasn’t as bright and sunny and ever-warm as it was at Ista!

“Oh, that would be lovely TayTay!” M’quel gushed, beaming up at A’tay as she left Xyxyth’s nose to wrap her arm around A’tay’s waist once more, clinging to him like a little greenrider limpet, and giving him a one-armed squeeze. “You should send Shadow when the weather is really nice, and we’ll pop over!” That way A’tay could pick what day he felt comfortable heading down to the water, and not have it sprung on him by M’quel and Zezeth just showing up. Plus, it would be an excellent excuse to get away from her responsibilities (both expected and self-inflicted).

Glancing at the dragons, who seemed comfortably happy, and back up at A’tay, M’quel grinned. “Did you have any plans for your visit?” she asked, giving his waist another squeeze. She herself had already eaten lunch before coming down with Zezeth, albeit it was an early one so she wasn’t against the idea of going to the dining cavern to eat. Or they could go to her weyr and hang out. Or they could stay there. Or who knew? She beamed up at A’tay waiting for his answer.

A’tay peeked around a green wing as he dutifully inspected it upon being shown the scar when he heard how excited M’quel was at the idea. “Of course!” Maybe they could invite a few friends and make a full afternoon on the beach with swimming and snacks. It would be a good time but also a good way to push himself further with being in the water around more people. People he trusted to begin with and then maybe one day branching out into others he didn’t know as well or at all. He didn’t think anyone would intentionally dunk him or hold him under but he still needed to work his way up to groups and water.

A’tay put his arm around M’quel’s shoulder as she settled into his side. When he didn’t overthink his feelings or the lack of them in return, he was able to just be with his best friend and do simple gestures like they had always done while growing up. Being with Zelana helped settle some of his nerves as well, giving him a bit more confidence in such acts and to move him slightly out of his little awkward box he was normally in. “I came to visit you if you’re not busy. I should have sent Shadow ahead to see if you were.” And he was right back to being awkward as he fretted about interrupting a day of plans. M’quel did have a boyfriend, and some lovers, after all—and on top of the healing she was still deeply devoted to. A surprise visit from a friend might not fit into her schedule.

“But if you are free, we can hang out here,” was he being mean by suggesting they spend time where she apparently spent intimate time with his brother? Maybe, but to himself. But he wouldn’t let jealousy turn him into a monster of some sort when he didn’t have any right to it. If M’quel was interested in him, he reminded himself again, she would have said something long before hooking up with T’ryn. Besides, how could he blame her? T’ryn was rather charming and caught a lot of eyes.

“Sunlight is just as good for us as it is for the dragons, you know,” A’tay added with a teasing note in his voice. “A Healer-in-training told me that once.” M’quel had been so excited in the early months of her training that she recited facts to him regularly and some of it even stuck with him. No way was he going to claim he was a Healer from what she shared and the little basic care they had all been taught in Katila, but it was still fun to see her excited and learn something himself from it.

“I was,” M’quel said with a crooked smile, “But I’m free now!” She nodded towards her pretty dragon, who was all clean, oiled and buffed. She cuddled closer to A’tay, if that were possible, and rested her other hand lightly on his stomach. She tilted her head to grin up at him again. “I’ll always be free for you, TayTay!” M’quel said firmly, her expression turning serious, though her lips were still turned up in a small smile. She stretched up on her toes again, pressing a kiss against A’tay’s cheek, and then resting her forehead against his cheek for a moment. After a few breaths, she settled back down onto her feet, now resting her head against his shoulder.

M'quel tried not to let her sudden confusion show on her face as she gazed out over the lake, past the dragons. For a moment, she’d had an overwhelming urge to kiss her best friend, kiss him properly and that was weird, right? She felt Zezeth’s consciousness settle against her own, and felt more than heard the dragon’s curious question: why was kissing A’tay weird, who had been her best friend for almost as long as they’d both been alive, but kissing T’ryn wasn’t? Kissing N’lis wasn’t? Kissing D’hys wasn’t? M’quel had no answer for that, and her gaze shifted to looking down at the rippling lake. There were some dragons swimming in it on the other side, playing some kind of game.

A'tay’s quip about sunlight had M’quel shifting her gaze back up to meet his, amusement flickering once more onto her features. “Oh really?” She asked, raising her eyebrows playfully. “And here I thought I was the only one in your life,” she teased, smirking subtly; she knew he was talking about her, but couldn’t resist the teasing poke. “What a know-it-all,” she said, sighing dramatically. She glanced up suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, with a wicked little smile, and said before she could stop herself: “I know all sorts of things about people’s needs, now, though.” Her hand on his stomach twitched slightly, and then she realised who she was talking to, and her eyes opened wide, surprised, and a blush flooded across her cheeks. M’quel glanced away, but didn’t remove herself or take her words back.

There was still that awkward flutter in her stomach, confusing her further. She hadn’t felt such things talking about (or having) sex with any of the others, and M’quel was pretty sure those should definitely have invoked such feelings. Right? Confused, M’quel made a soft hum noise in the back of her throat, and chewed on her bottom lip as she gazed out over the lake, letting the blush fade from her cheeks.

A’tay laughed at the kiss to his cheek, wondering what had M’quel in such a great mood that day. It couldn’t have been just tending to her dragon since that was a task even with the smaller ones—though he had to admit the satisfaction of a job well done and how content Xyxyth was after, did make all the pains worth it. Whatever the reason, he was glad for it. M’quel had been through so much since Impressing Zezeth and she more than deserved and earned a smooth patch, one that hopefully lasted for quite a long time.

His smile somehow managed to stay in place when the mood shifted just enough to cause an eyebrow to lift. He was a professional people-watcher and saw the change in M’quel from friendly to flirty, maybe even seductive. He swallowed, trying to compose himself even as M’quel realised she had the wrong blonde bronzerider and glanced away embarrassed. That was fine. That was proof of what he suspected about their friendship and he couldn’t even be mad about how she teased him since he had been trying to set a trap. He didn’t even know why he cared that neither she nor T’ryn had mentioned their public time together. He wasn’t dating M’quel and he wasn’t either of their keeper, so they could do what they wanted. Maybe it was just a courtesy thing given his connection to both. Really, he had to get over such things and just enjoy being with his friend.

A’tay softly cleared his throat and pretended like he didn’t notice the innuendo in the words or the shock on her face. Instead he smiled even more brightly as he proclaimed, “that’s why you’re going to be the best Healer the Weyrs have even seen, DiDi! You’re always going to know what your patients need and the best way to help them.” He gave her side a little poke, knowing how ticklish she could be with the right spot and touch combination. He wanted to make her giggle, to get over her slip up, and find her usual confident stride again.

Giving her a moment to collect herself, A’tay took her hand and gave it a little tug as he sat down on the grass, wanting her to join him. “C’mon, tell me more about helping in the infirmary and what you’ve been up to lately. Letters are fun but not the same.”

M’quel was… surprised… by the trickle of disappointment that trailed down her spine when A’tay tactfully changed the subject instead of taking what she said and running with it. There had been a small part of her that had expected him to tilt her chin to him. To kiss her. And she found herself confused by her disappointment. This was A’tay and their relationship had always been platonic and while that could also be said for the likes of T’ryn, he had taken her up when she’d made the offer. She pouted to herself softly for a moment, wondering absently what it was about her that A’tay didn’t like. Did he not find her attractive?

Pushing such a sour thought away from her with a sharp shove, M’quel smirked, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes, and lifted her eyebrows at A’tay’s declaration that she would be the Best Healer Ever. She was trying to think of a fun comeback when he poked her in the side, and a surprised shriek of laughter escaped M’quel’s lips. She wriggled away, but didn’t go far before he was grabbing her hand and pulling her down onto the soft grass.

Toppling onto the grass beside A’tay, M’quel kept a hold of his hand between them; they’d always been physically affectionate friends, and M’quel wasn’t going to let that change just because A’tay didn’t want to kiss her. A thought that almost had her pouting again – though her conquests were small, no one had been uninterested in her before, and M’quel was having issues with that particular fact – but A’tay’s demand for more information of her time in the infirmary, and an delighted smile split her face as she cuddled up against his side, ignoring all social expectations of personal space.

Settled and comfortable, M’quel chattered about the last week in the infirmary, grumbling about a couple of idiots who still thought she was incapable because she was a girl and a greenrider, like that somehow made her incapable of being intelligent or something. But then chatted happily about the toddler who had been fighting a rough case of pneumonia for what felt like forever but was finally pulling through and should be able to go home to his worried mother soon. She finished that story with a wide smile, flopping dramatically against A’tay and puffing out a long sigh. “I can’t wait to have kids,” she said, paused, and then laughed. “Well, I can wait – it’s not in the plan just yet! – but like, I really look forward to it, you know?”

A’tay wasn’t stupid; he knew colourism was still very much a thing and that he also benefited from it. He didn’t like the attention being mated to a bronze dragon gave him and he sometimes wanted to help out more than a lot of people would allow because he was a bronzerider and shouldn’t be scrubbing laundry. But it did come with some perks, if he wasn’t so shy and afraid to throw his weight around a little. Maybe he could protect his friends with his rank one day. Keep jerks from picking on them if nothing else. M’quel didn’t deserve such comments just because of Zezeth or being a woman that dared to learn more than used to be acceptable. Maybe he could convince her to come back to Ista when her studying was done. They’d be in the same Weyr that was much smaller and Casa would also keep her under protection. But would M’quel want that? She was tough and would want to fight her own battles, at least for a while longer. Maybe one day he would say something if she still struggled.

He wrapped his arms around M’quel when she flopped against him after her retelling of the little boy’s recovery. That was good! Death was something they couldn’t avoid but there had been so much in the recent past and the death of children was always extra heartbreak. M’quel exclaiming she wanted kids had his eyes wide and his mind taking a sharp turn into wondering how serious things were with N’lis after all. Was she already pregnant? Oh. A’tay relaxed at the clarification and smiled, nodding in agreement. “One day. I’m still figuring out who I am and my goals. T’ryn took their surprise pregnancy in stride but he’s always known what he wants. I’m fine waiting a while yet.” He was young still and truly didn’t know what was expected of him as a bronzerider, especially with Thread coming. He also knew he and Zelana weren’t going to end up happily mated and with kids and he was fine with that. He enjoyed what they currently had and didn’t have a need to rush for anything more.

He wondered if his bringing up T’ryn would make M’quel fidget and talk about it but he also realised he didn’t really care. Since landing and seeing her, he’d had flashes of jealousy or disappointment that she hadn’t confided in her wild day with his brother but he really was fine with it. A’tay knew he’d always love M’quel but it wasn’t meant to be. They’d always be best friends though. He didn’t have any right to being upset over what she was doing and with whom. So he did what he was apparently getting good at, and changed the subject again to a couple of their friends that would be graduating from Benden in a couple of months and they definitely needed to be there to cheer for them. “Oh, and N’noa! I bet he would love to see you and Zezeth again.” He knew the green pair didn’t travel much due to Zezeth’s health and M’quel’s studies but A’tay was certain their personal Healer from weyrlinghood would be thrilled to see them healthy and doing well.

M’quel laughed softly, nuzzling her cheek against A’tay’s shoulder. “You’re amazing, is what you are! As for goals…” She considered him, “What about signing up for the bronzerider mentor thing?” She sat up a little more, and pressed her hand to his chest to stop him from immediately throwing her idea aside. “You don’t have to be a Weyrleader, if you don’t want to,” she said, smiling, “but you could learn a lot of useful stuff!” M’quel believed Threadfall was coming, and she knew that it would be devastating when it did, which made her worry about her friends, but the sharp reality of that was also that many, many riders and their dragons were either going to die, or be scored so badly they couldn’t fly any more – which meant even those who didn’t want rank, would likely have it thrust upon them, eventually.

As the topic changed to their friends who would be graduating soon, M’quel wondered idly, eying A’tay from the corner of her eye, who her friend would end up settling down with… She wondered, with an internal snort, who she would end up settling with. D’hys and T’ryn were obviously just fun-time friends, and she had no misconceptions about the type of relationship she had with either man. Then there was N’lis, and M’quel sighed softly to herself as her gaze lifted to the sky, listening to A’tay chatter, nodding and smiling at the appropriate places though also clearly side-tracked. She heard him go quiet after a little while, and let the silence linger between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable, though, and M’quel chewed her bottom lip for a few moments, considering the topic of her boyfriend and the fact that she was quite sure he viewed their relationship as a lot more than she did.

M'quel startled when A’tay spoke again, and she shifted to look up at his face with wide, surprised eyes, though her expression softened at the mention of N’noa and seeing him again. “I haven’t seen him in far too long,” M’quel admitted, smiling gently. “He helped take such good care of Zee when she was a baby.” She smiled wistfully as she remembered the friendship they’d struck up and strengthened during Zezeth’s Weyrlinghood, with N’noa’s gentle flirting and teasing, and the way she had blushed scarlet and spent most of her time with him giggling innocently. M’quel shook her head slightly, bemused, wondering how N’noa would react now her response to his flirting would be vastly different.

Which brought her back to her previous thoughts, and M’quel’s smile faded and she sighed again. Sitting up a little, M’quel let a little air circulate between herself and A’tay as she looked up at him, her features furrowed into a frown of discomfort. Sighing deeply, M’quel brushed her hair from her face and pursed her lips for a few moments, gathering her thoughts. “I have a bit of a problem,” she said softly, grimacing again and fiddling with the leather bracelet that still lived on her left wrist. “N’lis appears to have been under the impression that we were rather, um, serious… while I was not.” Her gaze flickered up to A’tay’s face, biting her bottom lip, and then she dropped her gaze again. “I think I really hurt him,” she admitted quietly, eyebrows knitting together. “He doesn’t want to break up, but I’m not ready to do the whole mated thing, and I like N’lis, I really do; he is very sweet and makes me feel special. But I don’t know…” She scrunched her nose up, still not looking up as she fiddled with her bracelet. “He’s not, you know,” she finally glanced up again, still frowning, and said quite seriously, “The One,” and waved her hand absently to indicate the mystical and magical One that always featured in Rhaedalyn’s stories.

“You’ve been talking to Xyxyth, haven’t you?” A’tay sighed at the mention of the mentor program. His dragon had so much confidence in him and kept nudging him to give it a try, knowing he would be great at it. A’tay didn’t agree. He wasn’t leadership material and he didn’t think the program would change that. But maybe Xyxyth and M’quel were right and he should give it a try anyway. He knew he would never be a Weyrleader as that wasn’t ever a goal and leading terrified him but maybe one day he could be someone’s Second if it was really needed. “I’ll think about it,” he promised, though that was the best he could do at the moment since he had to go home and actually talk to the Weyrleader and get it all sorted out and that seemed like a scary prospect in itself.

He talked a bit about their friends at Benden, noting M’quel had seemed to zone out somewhat. He knew her well enough to know she’d share what was on her mind when she sorted through it and didn’t take offence. Maybe she had more recent news from Benden than he did and she was trying to find the way to tell him? They would be doing between classes about now—did a trip go wrong? She would have told him sooner if it was that serious. So he waited it out, finishing a random story he heard about N’noa helping one of his classmates and smiled when M’quel came back to him and seemed to like the idea of visiting her dragonhealer.

And then it seemed she was ready to share what was on her mind and A’tay took her hand in both of his, offering silent comfort as she tried to explain her relationship. He nodded as she mentioned the elusive ‘The One’. He was pretty sure M’quel was his since what he felt for her was different than what he had for Zelana and no one else had yet to make his breath hitch and heart skip a beat. But he was fairly certain that you needed two people to complete the magic of ‘The One’ so maybe M’quel wasn’t his? It didn’t matter. If he confessed all of his feelings then and there, she would only have two boys that wanted her in ways she didn’t return.

“I think he knows how lucky he is and I bet he’s happy to have a relationship with you,” he didn’t know N’lis that well, mostly from what M’quel had told him over the years and from a handful of interactions so he was mostly just saying things to make his friend feel better. And maybe a dash of what he might feel in N’lis’ place. “It’s good that you guys talk about it and if he says he’s fine with you having other lovers,” he paused, realising M’quel hadn’t mentioned that and A’tay had the grace to flush with embarrassment at bringing it up. He truthfully was fine with Zelana having her lovers but he didn’t know if he would be if he was dating M’quel. It made N’lis the better partner, or whatever M’quel wanted to call him.

“If he makes you feel special and you’re both okay with how things are, then you shouldn’t worry. It may have hurt one or both of you to discuss it but it’s cleared up now.” He gave a smile, hoping his words helped reassure her. Then he gave a little shrug and chuckle as he couldn’t help bring up his brother again, “we’re not all like T’ryn with knowing what we want, including finding a mate while so young. You’re both young, DiDi. Plenty of time still to enjoy yourselves, date other people, see what’s out there. Enjoy what you have with N’lis but don’t worry if it never becomes anything more.”