the stork drops, the snake swallows | Glowfic Constellation

Fantastic, Maitimo does not say to Kib.

I'll get things done so we can be gone for a week.

secondchance

Thanks.

So he does. He only occasionally grouses to Findekáno about how he did not even have enough reasons in his list of reasons this was a terrible idea and there's clearly a lesson there.

secondchance

Kib manages to finish the scriber in the interim.

(And dream all the more about Aydanci, looking at him - holding him -

- he's sleeping in his own bed consistently now and doesn't have to explain any moaning.)

Dunno, Findekáno says, I'd rather have had a few months than nothing at all. I just hope it doesn't turn out the perfect man is dead or something.

I would rather have had nothing at all, Maitimo says firmly.

secondchance

Kib puts the scriber in the library. He checks its etching again. He gives it a stack of books and ink and pens. He wakes it up.

It works perfectly.

There's a dinner in his honor. It's well-attended. It coincides with the start of the festival of the gates.

secondchance

Yay.

And a few dozen Elves establish themselves in Hresk and Wrebb and set up restaurants and survey the area and go out riding and hunting and it's not too hard for Maitimo and Findekáno to slip away - and kiss walking down every street in the city, just for the novelty of it, once they're far from other Elves - and then find Kib.

secondchance

Here's Kib. Packed for a trip.

They can sell some more gems for money for a carriage to Lapis.

Well that's going to be one awkward carriage to Lapis.

The Elves will cuddle.

secondchance

And Kib will sit over here with his arms wrapped around his knees, failing repeatedly to read a book and instead staring into space.

It does not seem exactly appropriate to try to lighten the mood.

secondchance

They have an overnight stop at an inn and then they're driven the rest of the way and here's Lapis.

It's just like he remembers it. "I might not even have to look him up," he says, glancing around at the buildings, "if he didn't move -"

"Should we wait here?"

secondchance

"...I might get lost, even Aly didn't know the whole city, but osanwë range would cover it - if you want to wait here that's fine."

"I'd rather be closer," Findekáno says, "in case there's any kind of trouble. Or bad news and then you want to sit there crying for hours."

secondchance

"Okay. ...This way."

He sets off into the city, moving slowly, pausing to blink at things every other block.

It's a pretty city. They are holding hands and nothing has happened, that's also pretty lovely.

secondchance

And eventually Kib arrives at the house.

He peeks at the legend by the door for letter carriers, and it's Aydanci's name, now, all by itself without Aly's above it.

And he knocks.