Hanging by

Writers: Paula, Eimi
Date Posted: 22nd November 2011

Characters: Aileyan, U'kaiah
Description: U'kaiah tries to keep Aileyan's spirits up...
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 17 of Turn 6

U'kaiah walked up behind the greenrider leaning against the feeding pen.
He wrapped his arms around her middle, leaning his chin on her
shoulder. "How are you feeling?" he asked gently, knowing that things
had been hard since M'non had died.

"Hanging by," she said with a sad smile. Sometimes concentrating on her
daily duties and drills helped, sometimes she just felt like she was
crashing down under the burden of grief.

He sighed, leaning his head against hers as he watched the herd beasts
mill around. Seeing her hurt like this was trying on him as well. It
was funny how when she hurt, he could feel a little echo of the feeling
deep down inside himself as well. "Is there anything you need?"

"Like have M'non miraculously return from death?" she asked, know what a
foolish hope that was.

"I'm not really that amazing. I just try to make you think I am," he
said, turning his head to kiss her neck softly. U'kaiah hoped he could
draw at least a little smile out of her.

"I know," she did give a small smile.

That was the reaction he had been hoping to see. "Listen," he said,
gently turning her around to face him. "What do you think about getting
away for a day again? Just the two of us? We could try that beach
again..."

"I... it does sound tempting," she hesitated. Did she had energy for it?
Or was it just what she need? A break away from everyday.

He leaned his forehead against hers. "Come on. We can just go down to
the beach and see what happens. If you just want to read a book, that's
fine. If you need to cry on my shoulder, that's fine. If you want me
to play your pirate captain and lick all the sea salt from the body, I'd
be more than willing do to that, too."

"Now, that certainly sounds tempting," although she wasn't sure if it
was the crying against the shoulder or playing pirate she found tempting.

He could see there was still doubts in those haunted hazel eyes, but he
at least it wasn't dark, brooding sorrow. Leaning down he kissed her
softly, wrapping his arms further around her body. "I will make you
smile again, Aileyan, I promise you that," he whispered as their lips
parted.

"Some days I feel like I'll ever smile again," she said, looking to the
distance.

"You will. Ravyan and Kaiafel and I will see to that. You haven't lost
everyone who cares for you." And he knew that was how she felt deep
down sometimes.

"I know it but I can't always quite believe it," she sighed.

"I know," he smiled, taking her face in his hands. And part of him
believed that was why he cared for her so much. She needed someone to
remind her just how wonderful she was, and he did so like feeling needed
by someone again. Aileyan was a puzzle and a challenge to him, and the
more he knew her, the more hooked he was. "I think we should let your
green eat by herself, and before we pick up Ravyan, let's take a quick
dip in my bathing pool. I think a nice warm soak would do your mood
good."

"All right," she agreed, glancing Kjarliheth. Her muzzle was buried in
to a heardbeast's belly, she wouldn't even notice. Once such sight made her
quesy, now she didn't care.

"What are your dinner plans?" he asked, curling an arm around her waist
and gently steering her back towards the entrance to the Weyr.

"I don't have any plans," she said. Actually, she had thinking about
skipping the meal altogether. She had done that lately and didn't just
seem to have any apetite. Only times she did eat normally was when
Ravyan was with her. She didn't want to show a bad example for him.

"Do you want to take dinner in your room?" The implication that he
would be joining her, of course.

"Can we pick up Ravyan and Kaiafel too?" she asked. She seemed to need
the company of the people she cared about more than anything.

"We'll have to ask Felke, but I'm sure she'd be glad for a free
evening." The fact that she included his son made him feel incredibly
pleased. He hoped she would be so inclusive when his next child
arrived. "Do you want to take them out somewhere? Or would you rather
a quiet evening?"

"A quiet evening..or as quiet as you can with the two of them," Aileyan
replied.

"Should I maybe grab a few things for tomorrow before we head out to
pick up the boys?" he asked, implying that he was interested in staying
the night.

"Sure, why not," she replied. She was actually glad he offered to stay
over
night. She didn't like sleeping alone right now.

He leaned down to kiss the top of her head as they walked back towards
the Weyr. U'kaiah knew all this wasn't easy for her, but she would get
through it. He would see to that.

Last updated on the December 5th 2011

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Hanging by