Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Fiona reached over and gently touched his hand, her gaze softening as he told her to do whatever she needed to do. "I do love you, Sam."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's gaze turned to meet her own, and for a moment, he wondered if he was ready to return the sentiment yet. But without thinking, his heart spoke for him. "An' I love you, Fiona." His fingers closed over hers, forgetting about her family for the moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona didn't know what she was expecting as he returned her sentiments, his fingers closing over her own. She gave him a slight smile, leaning in to press her forehead against his own. Neither were ready to go much further but it felt lovely to be sharing such an intimate moment with him. She felt at peace for perhaps the first time since the entire horrible incident had begun.

 

[KieranSoares]

To their credit, Fiona's family didn't say anything in the moment, but Juno made note to tease Fiona later at a more appropriate time, and Oleg couldn't help a smile to his mate as he saw Sam and Fiona reconnecting. Oleg and Anya hadn't had a fairytale love story, but it was a love that had been borne of a mutual understanding and a partnership in caring for their ancestral home and its people.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think things are finally coming together." Anya said softly, patting Owen's hand as they watched their granddaughter make the effort to bridge gap between herself and Sam. "And Tatianna would be so happy she finally made it home."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It was good to see her here... but it's even better to know that, when she does go back, she'll still have family in Inverness." Oleg kissed Anya's cheek.

After dinner, Sam helped Fiona's uncles with a few chores before it grew too dark, and he paused to say goodbye to Fiona before he headed back to the tavern.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll see you tomorrow then." Fiona said, bundled up against the cold as they stood in front of her grandparent's house. "I'm sure Roman will be letting both he and Kennah out of the barn before dawn. He likes to run early in the morning."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I expect somethin' like that, so I'll probably beat 'im to it an' unlock it for them ahead o' time. Maybe put Roman through some drills too, troublesome lizard..." Sam muttered, glancing off toward the tavern.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's young and foolish. He'll grow out of it." Fiona said as Sam looked off towards the tavern. "You know you can stay here. My grandmother would love the chance to spoil someone else. She's already promised to make me some mittens and a scarf to stand up to the cold."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, since Stacia won't let me pay fer anythin' she gives me at 'er tavern... Maybe I ought t'take you up on tha' offer an' annoy 'er," Sam chuckled quietly. "But it already seems pretty crowded 'ere... An' I wouldn' want t'overstay my welcome..." He wanted to stay with Fiona, he knew that. But he also didn't want to tax Oleg and Anya's resources especially with a hard winter coming.

 

[heartofcourage]

"The offer is open." Fiona said softly as he politely declined. "You'll have more privacy at the tavern and that's alright."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll stay there tonight... jus' so I have a little more time t'catch up with Stacia. Then I'll be over 'ere earnin' my keep, choppin' firewood," Sam promised. "An' I'll figure out somethin' more permanent fer the drakes. Bet I can rent some space in a barn in return fer some chores."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can help pay. Roman is mine, after all. And he causes the most trouble." Fiona insisted as Sam said he could find somewhere in exchange for some chores and a little hard work. "I won't let you do everything on your own."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll do it together, then An' hopefully Kennah'll teach him some manners before long. He ought t'learn soon, as I'm pretty sure we migh' be seein' a little hatchling before long. Kennah's been actin' a little odd the past couple days, little slower."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh, Roman." Fiona said as Sam mentioned that a fledgling might be in the way for his beloved drake. "Sam, I'm sorry. I would have been more stern with him if I had known what they were up to."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kennah can make 'er own choices. I jus' wish I'd known that before I hauled 'er across the North Sea." He shrugged. "It's alright, jus' means Roman better take care of 'em this this winter."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, if there is a little one on the way, I'll make sure that he takes care of both it and Kennah. You won't have to worry about anything." Fiona said.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I jus' sort of wish they'd warned us first," Sam chuckled. "I'm no' worried, mostly. Jus' wonderin' how much unlike a foal 'r colt it's gonna be, an' whether 'r not Kennah'll need our help lookin' after it. I don' know if she grew up with 'er mother, 'r if Roman did either. If she did, she'll be fine, but if not... I don' know how much instincts'll help."

 

[heartofcourage]

"They learn quickly. Roman knows how to hug me. He learned that from watching me with others. They're smart creatures." Fiona said as Sam had a little smile on his face. "Seems like you're looking forward to seeing what happens with a fledgling."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've always been pretty soft fer little ones in my family. Any fledgling Kennah has is family too," Sam reasoned with a shrug. "At the very least, it'll be a good learning experience fer future drakes. Most breed in late winter rather'n early, have fledglings durin' the warm months so they can regulate their own temperature come the next winter."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You might be even more excited than the father. I'm sure you'll have to fight Roman for the right to get near to her when she's ready to have the little one." Fiona said with a soft smile on her face. "Congratulations, Sam. You'll make a great father yet."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nah, I just always took an interest in new challenges. If I weren't a general, I might've joined Annie in breedin' horses, even deliver 'em to their buyers. I always liked trainin' an' understandin' beasts like tha'."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Maybe that's why you like me so much. I barely understand myself." Fiona said with a little shrug of her shoulders.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's possible," Sam smiled softly and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, lass."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Tomorrow." Fiona said softly as Sam kissed her cheek so gently. "I'll meet you for breakfast. At the tavern. My treat."