RCW: Time and Time Again (3/3)

Posted on Sun Nov 10th, 2024 @ 8:56pm by Apprentice Nerlyn & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: MD 2 D5

K'ron was fuming as he tore off after Nerlyn. How could they do that? They knew how fragile Nerlyn could still be. And yet how or why had she kept that secret from him all these Turns? He thought they shared everything.

“Nerlyn!” he called, finally catching up to his mate. “Please stop.”

Nerlyn heard his words but she did not want to stop; she was desperate for fresh air to breathe in and clear her head from all the memories the discussion was bringing up. She only stopped as he caught her waist and nearly lifted her off of her feet. She let out a cry of surprise not having expected that. “I wanted to be alone.” She gasped out.

He grumbled under his breath when she didn't stop but he couldn't let her go like this. He was worried she might not take things too well. K'ron kept his arms around her so she couldn't run. “And you really expected me to listen and let you deal with this by yourself? Not a chance.” Anger still showed in his gray eyes swirled with concern for his mate.

The woman bucked against his chest trying to escape but his words and his grip around her stopped her fight attempts and she settled down into just breathing. “Yes I did,” She said, feeling his chest against her back and the way his hands spread across her stomach.

“Not on your life,” K'ron assured her. Oh no. He had nearly lost her too many times and after what the Weyrleaders had just done he wasn't about to leave her alone. He kissed her neck as he tried to calm down.

The woman closed her eyes at the kiss on her neck as his tone turned from anger to something more tender. “Please.” She whispered as she stayed frozen in his arms trying to not think, trying to just exist for a moment.

K'ron stopped but still didn't let her go. He wasn't quite sure where her mind was at the moment. He still couldn't believe Lana and A'ren had done that. “If you need quiet I can do that but I am not letting you go.”

“Why?” She asked slowly, lifting her arms from her side to place over his hands. She did not want to turn around to face him but she could feel he needed to know she was there.

The bronze rider blew out a soft breath, trying to come down off his angry phase. “Cause you dear are the love of my life and I am going to be wherever you are no matter what.” At least she had moved a bit and wasn't as ridged.

“Ki…” She whispered gently. Nerlyn slowly opened her eyes hearing his words and looked over her shoulder up at him. She could see the anger written over his face which made her look away again.

“I know,” he answered. “But I am still not letting you go.” He couldn't. Not with the moods they were both in. Too much had happened.

“I could fight.” She said, sighing as she sagged a little against him, the fight or flight adrenaline just leaving her empty now she was no longer in danger. If she had been a rider this conversation would have been a lot more aggressive but losing Leaneth had left her a lot more softer.

“If you feel you must but I'm still not letting go.” He liked seeing a bit of her fiery side again. There were times he really missed that side and right now she needed it. Maybe one day.

Nerlyn could feel the possessiveness in his grip grounding her and reminding her that he was not allowing her to wander off into her own mind or run away. He was not going to let her go no matter what she said or did. “I can’t. You do not deserve that.” She whispered slowly, turning around so that they were facing the same direction though she stared at his chest trying to find better words.

“Ner,” he said gently as he coaxed her to look up. “I love you no matter what. If you need silence fine or wanna talk I'm there. You know I would go to the red star and back for you,” he whispered. He wanted her to know that she would always be his world. No matter what happened ever.

Nerlyn was surprised by the declaration from him as their eyes connected. She had never heard him declare that before and it stunned her into silence for a long moment before she lent her head forward onto his chest again. “You are a good man…” She sighed. “A good man who changed everything I hate about myself into something less self-destructive.”

He gently rubbed her back, glad to see her settling down a bit. K'ron kissed her hair and just held her close. “You love are perfect to me and little Raen has a great mother.”

The woman did not believe that at all but she knew he truly believed that and she loved him even more for it. “Thank you.” She whispered “But you really do not need to go to the red star for me.”

K'ron chuckled softly. “I thank you for that as I do believe it would be a long trip,” he whispered, looking down at her. He would though if it came to making her happy.

Nerlyn looked up at him and touched his cheek. She did not want to speak there and then but she did have a better idea of how to calm them both down. “I am okay.” She assured. “I want to go get our son and just see him.” She had not had a chance since returning and she was sure he was desperate to get out of the creche and come home after far too much time recently with foster parents with her being on Dolphineer offshore duty.

A true smile tugged at his lips when she mentioned getting their son. “That sounds like a good idea to me,” he agreed. Raen could always make them smile and laugh. And he hadn't had much time to see the boy either which was sad.

“So you can let me go.” She prompted softly, not sure if he was going to do it. “I am safe.” She added relaxing her body. They could talk properly later but right now she wanted to see her son, tell him about all the things she had seen over the last sevendays and try not to think about the past.

K'ron hesitated briefly before nodding and letting his arms drop back to his side. She did seem calmer and he would keep close just in case. “Alright, let's find our son.” He knew that would help them both.