RCW: A Moment Together 1/2

Posted on Mon Sep 21st, 2026 @ 2:29pm by Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL

Nerlyn glanced over her shoulder as the blue rider and their son disappeared from view as herself and K’ron walked along the familiar beach. The sand was white and the ocean was clear against the shore. It was her favourite type of ocean as it was so easy to swim in but she did not have the urge to right there and then as they walked. She was enjoying the feel of the sand between her toes and the way the sun shone down on her bare arms as her long dress clung a little to her. She glanced away from the fading view of their son and looked at the silent bronze rider.

“Mark for your thoughts?” She finally wondered softly.

K'ron enjoyed the quietness of the beach as they walked, but he could stop thinking about his brother and what he had finally told him. The bronze rider looked over, feeling bad as Nerlyn caught him daydreaming.

“Just thinking about my little brother.”

Nerlyn smiled sadly and looped her arm through his as they continued walking. “He’ll be okay. He has been through a lot in the last few turns but Rizerth will keep him right. He just needs to mourn what happened with Cassine and realise none of it was his fault but it’ll be done in steps.” Nerlyn said knowing she had far too much knowledge around mental health.

He nodded a bit, knowing Nerlyn was right. It would take time but how had he missed it? “I just can’t believe I didn't see it,” he admitted quietly. He knew R'kig hadn't been well for a while but as they had talked but he hadn't realized his brother was still feeling that way.

“You are a man. A man who is busy with a million and one things who has not been well.” Nerlyn said kindly. “And he is a man who hid it very well until now.” She said softly trying to make him understand that it was not another thing he could blame himself for.

K'ron blew out a breath. He did have a lot on his plate, but he still felt bad he had missed his brother suffering. “Guess my family is good at hiding our feelings. I sure hope Kigina doesn't learn that.” That's all he needed, his baby sister having issues too. “Thanks. I can't believe he never said anything.”

“It’s hard for male riders.” Nerlyn said softly. “I’ll try my best to not add to the plate.” She added as she let go of his arm to pick up some rocks to skim them across the water.

He watched her collect the perfect rocks for skipping. “No, it's okay. If you need anything don't you dare hide it from me,” he said gently. He would rather be burdened then find out too late that he missed something.

Nerlyn didn’t answer, just picked up a couple of the rocks and started to skim them across the still water just off the coast. Time was what R’kig needed most of, time to reflect and do things that he had forgotten he could and wanted to do.

K'ron stepped up beside her. He wasn't surprised that she hadn't answered. He knew she didn't like to feel like a burden. “Thank you. For helping me with R'kig.”

“He is my brother too, just like Kigina.” She commented softly as she held out a rock to him. “Furthest away wins.” She suggested trying to take their minds off of it.

He smiled a bit. He knew Nerlyn considered his siblings family just like he did hers. K'ron accepted the rock. “Oh is that how it goes?” He teased, tossing the rock in the air. It was a nice distraction.

She rolled her eyes picking him up another rock. “Well you don’t win.” She said as she turned on her side and skidded the rock across the surface watching his leap 3 times before it dropped below the surface.

K'ron actually chuckled as he watched the rocks. “Do over!” He laughed as his barely skipped compared to hers. He should have known she would be better at it.

“Come here.” She laughed as she watched him and slid up behind him and adjusted his grip and stance. “Try now.” She smiled stepping back so she did not distract him.

He raised a dark brow but let her shift his stance. He tried it at the new angle, surprised it went so much further. “Shards, didn't expect that.”

She smiled proudly as it went further than before then dropped to the ocean floor. “I’ve spent far too long staring at this ocean practicing.” Nerlyn shrugged as if that answered everything. She had spent many days after Leaneth’s loss just staring at the ocean trying to find something to make her care about anything again.

“You definitely have that technique down,” he agreed. K'ron hated to think why she had spent so long staring at the ocean. Those had been horrible days.

Nerlyn nodded. “Shall we continue along the coast or inland a little?” She wondered trying to change the subject so she did not get caught up in thinking on it.

“Lets head inland,” he answered. He could definitely go for a longer walk. And anything to keep his mind from wandering.

Nerlyn nodded and started inland a little up the dunes to where the jungle would eventually take over. She glanced back at the man and frowned. “Ask your questions K’ron.” She offered not sure what they were but something was still there wanting answers.

He followed along behind his mate as they made their way toward the edge of the dunes. K'ron looked up as Nerlyn spoke, not realizing he was that transparent. He hesitated, not sure how to phrase the question. “Are we okay?” He finally asked.

Nerlyn blinked a few times at what he said before she sighed and looked at him unsure. “I… I don’t know.” She admitted quietly. “I thought we were but you are asking so yeah I do not know.”

He nodded a bit, stopping behind her. He was afraid of that. “I thought we were too,” K'ron said softly. “But I don't know. I still feel like this is a bit of a wall between us at times.”

Nerlyn wrapped her arms around herself. “What kind of wall? When do you feel like this is happening?” She questioned gently trying to not over react or let her emotions take over.

He saw her start to draw in on herself. “Hey hey,” he said quickly, stepping over to her. “it's just been some craziness since the ruins. I wasn't sure if we were okay after all that?” K'ron reached out to touch her cheek.

“It hasn’t stopped. We’ve not stopped. Why… why I suggested this and we got some time alone away.” She breathed as his hand cupped her cheek forcing her to look up at him.

He slowly nodded. It hadn't stopped and that worried him. He felt like they just went from one issue to another and didn't have time to catch their breaths. “We'll get through this,” he whispered.

Nerlyn stepped back nodding. “I want to.” She looked around at the floor as she wrapped her arms around herself as she tried to find something to say when it had blind sided her.

K'ron stepped up to her and gently pulled her into his arms. “Hey, we've made it through worse. We're not going to break now,” he assured her. They still had some obstacles to get through but they had been through too much to fail now.

“I will happily keep fighting to love you when it’s all I’ve wanted for turns.” Nerlyn whispered as he pulled her back against him and she turned to look up at him.

He kissed her forehead. “As will I,” he whispered. Nerlyn had been the only one he had ever truly loved. There were of course flights but the flights never meant anything to him. Nerlyn was his life.

“But if it ever gets too much or not enough…” she started before she shook her head. “Just talk to me okay.” She said gently. She would never admit it but dolphin hall was her backup plan, she had decided when things had been at the worst that she would always have a back up plan now. She would never feel as helpless as she had felt in the months after not being a dragon rider anymore ever again.

“Always,” K'ron promised. He didn't want to lose Nerlyn. Not after they had finally found each other and everything they had been through. Nerlyn and Raen were his life. And of course Tyreth. Unfortunately he had seen first hand how quickly things could change though.

Nerlyn nodded, staring up at him for a long moment before she spoke up in a whisper. “K’ron… do you want me to get rid of the baby? Stop that worry?”

K'ron blinked in total surprise at her question. That had never even crossed his mind. “Don’t you even think about it,” he said softly. “I am thrilled to have another little one,” he promised her, kissing her gently. “I'm sorry if I made you doubt that.”

“You didn’t.” She said kissing him gently to reassure him. “I just… I wanted to put it out there. I don’t want you stressed.” She leaned her head against his and just breathed in him being close.

He kept his arms wrapped around her, just wanting her close. “It's okay, love. there will always be something to stress me, but believe me when I say I am excited about this baby and adding to our little family.”

Nerlyn smiled sadly as he kept her close. “I believe you.” Nerlyn did not doubt him but she was also worried about him having too many things on his plate.

He would get things sorted again. It just felt like everything had happened at once and it had spiraled out of control. Maybe now though they could get back on track.

Nerlyn leaned up and caressed his cheek. “Come on, let's keep walking for a little bit and find that riverfall from last time?” She suggested despite how she was enjoying being that close to him and being held. They both needed the exercise to work off the tension that was between them.

He closed his eyes at her gentle touch. “That sounds nice,” he agreed, reluctant to move right away. They did need to walk though and get their minds back on track.

Nerlyn waited until he finally let her go with one last soft kiss before she silently started to follow the sound of running water. It was nice just to walk and not have an awkward silence or struggle to find something to say to each other as they just needed the silence to think.

K'ron walked quietly beside her. At least for the moment things were good. They could enjoy the silence and companionship of each other.