Nova ducks his head to hide his smile.

"Ah, but we have Ant and Uncle Steve!"

“This feud is tearing us apart!” Zev says dramatically, swooning onto Nova’s shoulder.

"Well we can't have that. Either Zev needs to gain a syllable or Nova needs to lose one."

"...I suppose a truce is out of the question?" Aaren asked sounding amused more than anything else.

Nova giggles quietly.

“Nov?” Zev gasps with an idea straight after the words are out of his mouth. “Nova, our names together is Novez!”

'Chelle giggles. "You know how I feel about truces, Dad!"

Nova leans a little further into Zev, smiling contently.

“Zevon?” Zev giggles quietly, curling into Nova.

"Well, truce or no, did anyone have any requests for dinner?"

Zev looks to Lan and ‘Chelle for that, he wouldn’t even know what to ask for.

"Oooh. Moroccan chicken? That's good!"

"Any objections to that?"

"None here, sounds good to me."

"Final questions: couscous or rice? And lemon or plain?"

Zev perks up a little at the idea of trying something new. "Couscous? And lemon. If that's okay with everyone else?"

"None from here!"

Nova shakes his head. (As though he could say otherwise, when Zev looks excited by the idea.)

"Lemon couscous it is then."

Aaren waves slightly and heads through to the kitchen.

Zev curls up again, flexing his hand a few times. It feels good, though he’s still not used to the healing magic. Not that it’s something you want to get used to, being injured that often. 

And the next few days pass in much the same way. 'Family' breakfasts, calm days with Lan complaining about the work he has from his tutor, documentaries playing on the TV.

Lan and 'Chelle are both open and easy with their affection, both spoken and, with Zev, physical - pats on the shoulders, brief hugs.

'Chelle finds them two warm winter jackets that are still lightweight enough that they won't feel constricted by them.

Aaren makes a variety of meals, all taking into account the fact that Zev and Nova are still coming back from the brink of starvation.

And Saturday morning the wake to find him making a picnic, a phone trapped between his ear and shoulder.

"Yeah, Steve, I always make extra, what do you take me for-?"