Rainblade-Ryalors Private Barracks/Imperial Condos The Dreams We Live For

[Caden S. Freemont]

"There is no rush, after all, no urgency," Caden reminded Daniil. "You'll know who should have it when the time is right."

He felt a pang of fear. At first he thought to keep it from his partner, but he had been stoic enough with his fears since the attack, and he was in desperate need of some type of reassurance. Caden scooted towards Daniil and lowered himself gently against the todd as a kit might do to seek comfort from a parent. "But, um, I just need to ask: turning in your badge but staying here, aye?" he asked softly.

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil started at the question, then slowly exhaled. "I mean, it depends," he quietly stated. He peeked at Caden from the corner of his eye as he inquired, "Do you want me to stay?"

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

The jack nuzzled more deeply against Daniil, letting out a small purr. "Of course I want you to stay." He peered up at the todd, the smallest of playful smiles teasing at the corners of his mouth. "Asta can't be expected to keep me civilized all on her own, after all."

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil smiled and leaned in to kiss Caden's cheek. "Then I'll stay," he promised. "No matter what, Caden, as long as you want me, I'll stay."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

Caden purred again. "Okay. That's...that's really nice to hear, Daniil. I'm glad." He looked away, his shoulders hunching slightly in shame. "Um, I'm sorry I got so angry and said some...harsh things to you. I know you've been having a hard time, too. None of this has been easy for any of us."

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil put a paw gently on Caden's shoulder, trying to avoid his burns. "It's alright," he assured the marten. "I needed to hear it. I've been living my life letting other people make my decisions for me, instead of deciding what I wanted. I needed that shove. I'm sorry I was selfish and wasn't thinking about what you needed."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

"What I need, hm?" Caden lifted a suggestive brow, letting his tone and expression speak the unspoken. Then he chuckled and flopped further down so his head was in Daniil's lap. "Though maybe not here. We don't want to traumatize Asta."

He was quiet as he thought about their conversation, one paw stroking along the back of Daniil's arm where it rested near his head. "So if not the Guard, then what?" he asked. "Not that you need to know all the details now, but do you have any ideas?"

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil sighed, shifting to rest his weight on the throw pillows at the side of the couch. "I don't know," he admitted morosely. "I'm not a great poet, and even if I was, it's very hard to make a living that way. I don't think my family will keep supporting me, and it's probably for the best that they don't. I need to figure out how to do my own thing, make my own path. I suppose I could get a job in another ministry," he allowed. "Become a clerk, file paperwork all day. I can read and write Vulpinsulan and Fyadorian; that has to count for something, right?"

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

"I think it definitely counts for something. And, well, I don't mind supporting you for a bit while you figure it out," Caden offered. "Remember the story I told Tanya about deposing the king of Armöst? That job paid quite well. I literally could have stopped working for the rest of my life at that point, become a Duke of one of the Wardens with probably the largest land holding in Varangia, and raised my own private army with plenty of funds left over."

He shrugged his uninjured shoulder. "Obviously I didn't stop working, and I have been careful with how I spend my money, this house being my largest purchase in a decade. So, if you need time to take a break and just figure yourself out, you have it. I'm not going anywhere, and I want you to be able to find your way, whatever that looks like."

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil smiled, and he leaned in to kiss Caden softly. "Thank you," he murmured, settling as to not put weight on Caden's chest, but stay close nonetheless. "I don't want to take advantage of your generosity, though, so I promise, I'll do everything I can to help with the housework. Especially while you're recovering," he added. "I'll probably go down to the barracks later this week to hand in my badge and... and discuss with Alwyn what to do with Requiem. Hopefully he agrees that I can hold onto her." His fists tightened as he remarked, "I don't think there's anyone else in the family who could wield her right now. Valin and Mileya have no interest in swords, nor do Alexei and Ameliya, and Anastasia, well, she's had her own for a long while. Who knows?" he added with a smile. "Maybe I'll be able to hold onto her until Asta has kits of her own, and pass it off to one of them one day."

 

[Caden S. Freemont]

Caden closed his eyes as he dealt with the ball of guilt weighing on his chest. "I...don't know how these matters work in families such as yours, so whatever you discern to be best, I trust you in that. I'm sure Asta would be honored by such a gesture."

He felt the weight pressing up his throat. Why not tell him now? That small voice said. He could move the conversation in that direction, it was right there, the option to completely upturn Daniil's reality and likely ruin their relationship forever. It was always there, that possibility. Now it just seemed so close, Caden could taste it like the metallic tang of blood in his mouth. Oh, no, that was actually blood. He had bit down on his lip so hard that he had made himself bleed.

"Speaking of Asta, when I was in the hospital and you two were visiting, did I hear her discussing with you the possibility of her joining the Unsmudgables?" Yes, move the conversation far, far away from Vaelora and her sword. "Or was I dreaming? Most of my time there feels not quite real."

 

[Daniil Ryalor]

Daniil took a moment to think. "Right, she was saying something about that," he reflected. "I mean, I didn't know what to say at the time. I was still feeling guilty over not being there to protect her through the fight." He sighed, looking down at Caden's chest, before his eyes suddenly widened. "Maybe that's it," he exclaimed. "I can join the Unsmudgeables too. That way I'll be there to protect her. Plus, they like art, don't they? I can work on my poetry while I train with the blade, like a classical samurai."