Mint and Honey

[KieranSoares]

"Francesca," Theo said softly but seriously. "Be careful about this. Plenty of people who had dreams put them on hold fer family, an' they ended up never movin' on. They grew bitter, miserable, an' spiteful. You jus' make sure tha' you don' compromise yerself in lookin' after yer mother." He kissed her forehead and stood up straight. "I won' expect ya t'become an adult right away, but I respect tha' you want t'be responsible."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I promise, Da.” Frannie said softly as he mentioned burning herself out before her time. “I won’t work more than a few days a week. A couple of hours each day. I just want Mama to be happy and relax.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won' hound you too much once yer fifteen," Theo promised, but then he heard a knock on the door. "Yasmine's back," he murmured, turning to answer.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine was waiting respectfully at the door as Theo opened it. “I brought Alex some essentials while I was at it. I know he never stops to think about himself.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'd run off in th'middle of the night if 'e needed somethin'," Theo chuckled, welcoming Yasmine in. "He's in th'spare room."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’ll go see him and then retreat to my own room so to keep up appearances for the smal ones.” Yasmine said with a small smile towards Theo as she went to find Alex.

“I brought a change of clothes and your new journal. I thought you would need both before too long.” She said as she placed the satchel on his bed and then sat down with a long sigh. “Fatin and Bahir had somehow sweet talked Ria out of a side of beef before I got to them. They were happily eating by the barn when I found them.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not surprising," Alex chuckled, leaning over to kiss her. "I really appreciate your understanding. I didn't expect Ma to take a bad turn so quickly. Then again, I guess everything is pressing down all at once now... Me coming home was probably the only pressure release she's had."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You only get one mother. Yours is a good one to keep as healthy as possible.” Yasmine said with a slight shrug of her shoulders as if to say that it wasn’t a big deal to her. “I’ve never known what that was like. My mother hardly wanted me.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wish you could've known it. But I suppose my own experience isn't exactly common either. We're close because she could've given me to an orphanage or to one of her siblings, and she did consider it, but she chose to keep a child that wasn't hers and was scarred and terrified of the world. I suppose now that I'm older, I'm trying to return the favor."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You know she doesn’t expect anything from you, Alex.” Yasmine said softly as Alex spoke to her about his mother. “She just wants you to be happy, like any mother should.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"She's never expected anything but for me to be a good, upstanding, fulfilled person with a healthy lifestyle. And that's exactly what I expect of her. And just like she did for me, I'm going to help her get there as best I can."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You need to rest too.” Yasmine said, combing her fingers through his thick hair. “I won’t watch you fade until you’re too tired to function either.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm okay, and I'm learning. Part of the deal of being with you is making time for life outside work." Alex smiled, enjoying her attention more than he cared to admit.

 

[heartofcourage]

“So, you’re saying that I shouldn’t pamper you then.” Yasmine said with a small smile as Alex promised that he was learning now that she was there.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I said no such thing," Alex chuckled, laying back on the bed with a sigh. "Spending time with you is half the reason I slow down anymore."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I just hope that you do it more often now.” She said as she lay against his side and let out a sigh. “Although, there will be a lot of work to prepare for the winter. My new home to set up and all of the things to order for the drakes before it gets too cold.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"We've both got a lot to do," Alex nodded. "I'll be glad to help you with anything you need. Just ask." Alex laid his head against her own and closed his eyes. "Hopefully this winter will slow some things down. The Imperials are as out of their element in northern winters as they are in the desert."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Hopefully Scotland can hold against them long enough for everyone to regroup. It’s been a long battle.” Yasmine said as Alex rested his head against her own.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's likely going to last years. With the distance, it'll be difficult for anyone to make quick moves. But Barbarossa isn't ready for Sam, I'm certain of that."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Do you think he’ll be the one to bring this to an end?” Yasmine asked as he talked about a speedy resolution with Sam at the helm. “It’s almost like he was born to lead.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"It'll end in his lifetime," Alex said simply, not committing to who the victor might be.

 

[heartofcourage]

“That’s not an answer. It’ll end in all of our lifetimes.” Yasmine said as Alex spoke in riddles.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's the only answer I have," Alex sighed. "Barbarossa hits hardest with assassinations and subterfuge. He knows it's possible to fell a country by removing its most powerful leaders, and he's proven he knows how to undermine leaders to make them crumble. I sure he'll be aiming for Sam and Fiona soon, especially considering both of them have thwarted his attempts on others."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Then we must be the first line of defense. Those there that make sure that Sam and Fiona survive this war intact.” Yasmine said softly as they spoke about their uncertain future.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's more your job. Mine is to make sure you get back up when you get yourself hurt in the line of duty. Broken hands and concussions and the whole lot." Alex gave her a smile as he spoke.