Lunch With Family (1/2)

Posted on Sat Feb 8th, 2025 @ 3:51pm by Apprentice Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D27

R'kig had managed to make his blue happy for a bit and decided to go for a walk before his drills later. He wondered how his brother was doing, but he also knew that K'ron was really busy with both his wing-leader duties and taking care of his family. R'kig really needed to make more of an effort, but sometimes he just felt like a burden. He could really use Cassine and her comfort right now.

Nerlyn was walking with her mate and son along the dock after they had come to meet her before late drills when she spotted R’kig coming toward them. “Your uncle, Raen,” she said, pointing to the blue rider. She put her finger in her mouth and whistled loudly to get his attention, waving to him.

K'ron winced slightly at Nerlyn’s piercing whistle but grinned when he saw his baby brother. It had been far too long.

R'kig looked up quickly, surprised by the people he saw in front of him. He definitely hadn't expected to run into them. He changed course just a bit to meet them. “Afternoon,” he said.

Raen was the first to reach the blue rider and leapt at him in a hug. He loved all his aunties, but having an uncle was different—not even T’mil came close to the affection the boy had for R’kig.

“Sorry, baby,” Nerlyn grinned at the wince. She had been getting louder with the whistle, thanks to needing it as a Dolphineer. “Hello, R’kig. Did not expect you down here,” she greeted, leaning over to kiss his cheek softly.

R'kig laughed and swung his nephew up in his arms. “Hey you, you’re getting big,” he teased the boy.

K'ron shook his head. “I always forget you can do that,” he admitted, smiling as Raen greeted his uncle. He wondered where his brother had been hiding.

“Got Rizeth taken care of and now he's sleeping, so I thought I'd take a walk before drills,” R’kig answered. “Didn't think I'd run into anyone, honestly.”

“Well, some of us like to be down here,” Nerlyn teased a little before moving back to weave her fingers through K’ron’s. “But you should come down here more. The Dolphins love the dragons,” she reminded him, knowing that a few riders were venturing down there to branch out a little. She knew Tyreth loved to come down and play with the pods—even Kalaith had a few times, but not since she had dumped the Weyrwoman in the dock.

“Nearly four,” the boy stated, as if that explained why he was getting so big.

R'kig shook his head with a small smile. “I have heard different riders talking about the dolphins. Maybe Riz will want to come down.” He honestly didn't know, and he also didn't know if he wanted to chance running into Nerlyn and K'ron all the time. He loved them and was glad they were finally happy, but his heart still hurt. “Four? No, you can't be four already,” he grinned, hugging his nephew close. K'ron frowned slightly as he held Nerlyn’s hand. Something was certainly off with his brother, but he didn't know what. He hadn't had time to really track the boy down for a decent talk.

“I am. Mama told him,” Raen said, glancing at his mother to defend him even as he hugged the blue rider back. Nerlyn smiled as the boy defaulted to her instead of K’ron to sort out his brother.

“He is just teasing you, unless he really has lost track of time recently,” Nerlyn said, noticing the frown on her mate’s face.

R'kig shook his head. “I have not lost track of time,” he assured his nephew. It was just hard to believe that much time had gone by. He tried not to think about it, if he was honest. “It was good running into you guys.”

K'ron quickly plastered a smile on his face. He didn't want to worry anyone. “And we're glad we bumped into you,” he said, shaking his head when Raen asked his mother for help.

“Come with us for our picnic, R’kig?” Raen wondered, refusing to let go for the moment. He did not know what was going on, but he did not see the man as much as he saw Cathlyn and Neilla.

“That is a good idea, Raen, but R’kig might not have time with his drills; but, seeing his brother is wing leader, they can’t both be late if they are together,” Nerlyn said, smiling at the pair and hopeful that her son had brought it up. R'kig thought about the time and when he needed to be there. He was hesitant to say yes, but he also didn't want to disappoint his nephew, who was still clinging tightly to him.

K'ron glanced at his mate. “Well, your beautiful mother does have a point there. And we still have some time before the drills,” he added, looking at his brother. “Come join us, R'kig.”

The blue rider sighed softly. He didn't have any real reason to say no. “Alright,” he agreed.

“Yes! I can show you the rock pools,” Raen said proudly as he wiggled to get down. Once on his feet, he led R’kig to where they had been planning to have lunch. Nerlyn just smiled as the man was bossed around by Raen.

“Pretty sure he is feeling like you did when I wasn’t with you and was fooling around with V’ros,” she whispered in K’ron’s ear as they walked down the steps and found somewhere to sit.

R'kig sat his squirming nephew back down. “The rock pools? Well, that sounds like fun,” the young man answered as he followed Raen to the rock pools.

K'ron glanced at his mate. “You think so?” he asked softly. She was probably right; he hadn't taken time to think about the fact Cassine had left. Nerlyn nodded. She knew so—she had seen that look for months, directed at her and V’ros when she was trying to get her head together. She glanced to where her son was telling the blue rider all about the rock pools.

“I do. It haunts my thoughts sometimes,” she said softly, caressing his cheek as she moved to help him with the backpack he wore. “You go rock pooling. I’ll set the food up,” she prompted, knowing R’kig would need his brother.

K'ron didn't like thinking about those times. They weren't good at all, but if R'kig was feeling that way then he knew how hard it was to get over it. “If you're sure,” he answered, swinging the pack off his back. R'kig tried to keep a smile on his face as Raen showed him different rocks in the sparkling pools.

“Raen, can you look after Daddy and R’kig for me?” Nerlyn called over to her son, who perked up instantly despite his hunger at being given such an important job.

“Yes, mama,” he called back sweetly before he lay down to reach into one of the pools to pull out another rock.

“I am completely sure. Please do not let Raen go into any of the pools, lovely. He doesn’t have his vest on, and some are quite deep,” she said as she shooed K’ron over to the blue rider and their son.

K'ron raised a brow at his mate. “Think we need looking after?” he teased, kissing her cheek. “But I'll keep an eye on him.” He knew how much their son loved water. R'kig had shed his boots and rolled up his pants to enjoy the water by the time K'ron joined them. He and Cassine used to do this all the time, but he tried not to think about it.

“R’kig is joining me in jumping in the water, daddy,” he said proudly, having persuaded the man to help. Nerlyn had dressed the boy in a wetsuit so he had waterproof boots on. “Did you do this when you were my age?”

“I see that, son. Just don't go too deep.” He didn't need Nerlyn yelling at him or Raen getting hurt.

“I won’t,” Raen promised, sighing. He really wanted to go jumping on them.

A true smile actually touched R'kig's lips. “We did. Think your daddy tried dunking me a few times.” Sadness still showed around his eyes, though.

“Daddy!” The little boy looked shocked that his daddy of all people did that. “That is mean. I would never do that to my brother or sister,” the boy stated.

K'ron shrugged a shoulder. “We were kids. I wouldn't do that now. And I am glad to hear you would never do that.” Raen was one of a kind.

R'kig chuckled softly. “Think I got him back,” he promised Raen. “We get along great now.” Well, at least when they saw each other.

“If he tries it now, call mama. She does not like messing near water,” Raen said in a hushed voice, as if he were sharing a secret with the man, before he narrowed his eyes at his dad. “Mama was teaching water safety; you should go along,” he said, smiling at his dad as he moved over to hug him.

“I will do that,” R'kig promised his nephew.

K'ron chuckled as he returned his son's hug. “I might have to do that,” he assured Raen. It would be interesting to listen to Nerlyn's lessons.

The little boy sighed happily as he noticed Nerlyn was sitting on the beach with the food out, waiting for them. She was watching the group intently. “Can we go eat? Mama has it all set up,” the boy declared.

R’kig looked up at his brother, and K’ron nodded. “Alright, kid,” the blue rider said, getting out of the water. “Let's go eat.” He grabbed his boots and waited for Raen to lead the way.

Raen slowly made his way back to more solid ground and quickly ran to Nerlyn, jumping to her and toppling her backwards with laughter. Nerlyn laughed as she brought them both back to sitting upright before anyone could help. “You know, little one, you might not be able to do that for much longer,” she said quietly, tickling him. R'kig found a place to sit where he was close but not in anyone's way. It still wasn't easy being around his family and their happiness.

K'ron laughed as Raen tackled his mother. “Well then,” he grinned, “didn't know you were that hungry, Raen.”

The boy grinned and moved over to sit with R’kig, not caring that he might take up some space. Normally they would have spread out and Nerlyn would have used the bronze rider as her pillow, but she stayed perfectly seated, watching the blue rider. “So, R’kig, what have you been up to?” she wondered, breaking the tension slightly.

“Hey, kiddo,” R'kig smiled at his nephew. He couldn't exactly tell his nephew no—the little boy could always make him smile. He looked up at Nerlyn’s question, noticing the surprise in his brother’s eyes, as it seemed like the bronze rider was used to his mate being close. “Not much, honestly. Just making sure Riz is happy.” He really didn't have a desire to do much else.

“Typical rider,” she said with a roll of her eyes, remembering the times she had done the same to help with loss. “Are you coming to the gather with us? K’ron was meant to ask you, but he might have gotten a little distracted chasing queens with a pregnant mate,” she teased, asking R’kig to come along to the gather and announcing their news all at once. Raen grinned at his parents, though he had been keeping it super secret.

K'ron glared at his mate. “I have no control over a gold flight,” he pointed out. “But I did ask.”

R'kig smiled a little. “He did ask; I just wasn't sure.” He stopped and looked at Nerlyn in surprise. “You're pregnant? That's great news.”

“You have had many distractions,” Nerlyn leaned over and caressed K’ron’s arm softly. She had been teasing him and nothing else. She knew fully that she was the reason he had been distracted. “I am—about 2 months. You are the first person we have told properly outside of healers and Weyrleaders. But are you coming to the gather with us?” she pressed pointedly.

K'ron smiled at his mate, not realizing the sadness it was causing his baby brother. “Just a few,” he chuckled.

R'kig fiddled with the mug in his hands. “That's really great, guys. I am happy for both of you.” He was truly happy for them. “I don't know. I don't know if I really want to be around that many people.”

Nerlyn made a face at K’ron before turning her gaze onto his younger brother. “Okay. Well, that offer is there, R’kig. It would be nice to have a wander around with all of us. I know how much you love showing off at the games,” she said, thinking of the gathers at children. “Are you part of the display team or anything?” she wondered, trying to get him to open up a little as she offered him the sandwiches that K’ron and Raen had gotten from the dining cavern to share.

The blue rider just wasn't feeling like himself and didn't want to upset anyone. “Haven't played the games in a long time,” he admitted. It was something he used to enjoy. “No, I'm not. I really didn't want to be involved.” K'ron frowned. Just what was eating his little brother? He had never seen R'kig so depressed.

Nerlyn leaned over to R’kig and touched his hand softly. “Well then, you need to come along to teach Raen if you feel up to it. I am useless at them. I used to detest the display team—I'd rather take several solo sweeps that do it,” she said softly, wishing that a second Raen was not there so she could confront him properly and work out what was going on. The solo sweeps had been why she had spent much of her time being antisocial after weyrlinghood—it had been easier to do what she thought was her duty.

R'kig looked up at the light touch and then glanced at his nephew. “Guess I could try to teach him,” he finally agreed. He would do anything for Raen. The sad thing was, Rizerth normally loved the display teams. It was R'kig that just couldn't handle them this turn. He had done them with Cassine, and it brought back too many memories.

“It does not always hurt like this,” she said firmly, offering a sad smile as she saw the sadness in his eyes. She kept her hand in his, taking in his appearance and worrying a little. She had not checked in as she should have with her own duties and troubles over the last couple of months, but she was there now—wanting to help him if possible. Raen grabbed a sandwich quietly, taking in the emotions around the blanket, and decided he was best staying quiet for a moment.

R'kig closed his eyes briefly. “It doesn't?” he whispered, his hand shaking in hers a bit. He hated feeling like this. K'ron frowned. He hadn't realized his brother was hurting so badly. He had been caught up in his own life.

“Nope. Promise. First love is hard with what we have been through in the last six years. You were so young and got so hurt, but Dolphineer honour…” She wasn’t a dragon rider, but she knew he would understand what she was getting at. “… it does get better, I swear.” She looked to K’ron and indicated he could input, but Raen took that moment to stand up and hug his uncle. R'kig hoped she was right. It wasn't that he didn't believe Nerlyn; he just hurt so badly that he felt his heart was ready to break. When Raen hugged him, he just couldn't hold it in any longer and broke down.

K'ron cringed. “That's it. You're pulled from today's drills,” he said gently. R'kig looked up in alarm. “You're not in trouble. I think you could just use a day to regroup.”

“Oh, R’kig,” Nerlyn whispered as she scooted over to hug the man to her shoulder while Raen looked up in alarm. Had he made his uncle cry? “You did not make him cry, little one. Sometimes someone's hugs just let all the emotions out,” Nerlyn assured, shifting the little boy onto her lap so she could comfort them both.

R'kig buried his face in Nerlyn’s shoulder. He hadn't meant to scare Raen, but the boy's comfort had just made him lose it. “I'm sorry,” R'kig whispered. K'ron's heart broke. How had he not seen this? He moved over to his family and gently put his arms around them.

“Do not be daft,” Nerlyn said softly, stroking his hair. “I am sorry that we did not know you were hurting this much. We have just been so wrapped up that we missed another person in our family who was hurting,” she admitted gently. “I blame K’yar for sleeping on our sofa,” she said, trying to lighten the mood a little. She half wondered why he never went with Cassine but did not want to discuss it when Raen was awake and worrying enough.

R'kig managed a weak laugh at that thought. “That would definitely make it hard,” he whispered, closing his eyes at her gentle touch. Maybe he should have left, but he just couldn't. It had never felt right.

“See, it's so much easier when we blame him,” she soothed, smiling a little more as she shifted to let K’ron get closer to his brother, though it meant her letting him go. She scooped up Raen and shifted a little so they could all sit together properly.

“I guess so,” R'kig agreed softly. It was easier to agree than to argue. He didn’t have the energy to argue any more.

K’ron felt awful for his brother. He knew the feeling quite well, and it wasn't easy to get over. “It will be okay,” he said gently.

Nerlyn wished she could have saved the younger man some of the pain he was going through. “How can we help?” she wondered, wrapping an arm around K’ron as she leaned toward R’kig.

The blue rider shook his head. “You really can't,” he said softly. They couldn't bring Cassine back—as she had told him in no uncertain terms that she would never return to River Cove—and he honestly couldn't blame her.

“You know, whatever you need,” K'ron told his brother. “Even if it's just time.”

“And hugs,” Raen ventured into the conversation, making Nerlyn love her son even more with his kindness. He was such a loving and caring soul—he got that from K’ron. She was loving, but the caring certainly came from the bronze rider; she had always been colder and less forgiving.

R'kig managed a shaky smile. “I always like hugs,” he answered his nephew. The little boy certainly knew how to brighten the day.

K'ron smiled at his son. Raen was certainly a blessing. He looked at his small family. “I really hate to, but I have to get to drills. You guys, though, relax.”

“Go on away with you, bronze rider,” Nerlyn said, shifting back to let him up and taking Raen back before he tried to escape with his dad. “Stay safe,” she offered, holding up a sandwich to him to make sure he ate something on the way.

K'ron kissed her hair and ruffled Raen's. “I'll see you guys in a bit,” he promised, accepting the sandwich. He waved at them before jogging off.

R'kig watched, feeling strange for not going too. Rizerth didn't seem to mind, though.

“So what do you fancy doing, blue rider? Walk? Swim?” she offered, wanting to keep him talking and surrounded by familiarity. “Sit here in silence?” she added at the end.

The blue rider thought for a minute. He should have been at drills, so this was odd. “A walk sounds nice after we eat,” he finally answered.

“Then eat up,” she prompted with a laugh, indicating the food. There was no way she would eat it all—Raen would try, but the blue rider was the one with the bigger appetite. She would wait for him to finish up before they walked and talked a little more.