Letting Go Of Hurt

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 14th November 2015

Characters: Z'ku, Meledei
Description: Old wounds are healed.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 24 of Turn 8

Z'ku

With the sun in his face, Z'ku didn't notice the gold until Xemroth
was already headed in her direction.

}:Hello lovely Elleth.:{ The bronze's eyes whirled happily as he
joined her in the weyrlake.

An uncomfortable flutter went through Z'ku's stomach, but it wasn't as
bad as it used to be. "Hello, Meledei."

Meledei hadn't realised that the dragon was Xemroth until he bespoke
Elleth. When Z'ku's voice followed the dragon's greeting, which
Elleth had shared with her rider, Meledei ducked her head to peer
beneath the gold's neck, then crossed under so she could hold a
conversation without causing a backache. To be honest, Meledei was
surprised at the greeting. After his previous reaction, she hadn't
thought he'd ever speak to her again. "Hello Z'ku. How are you?"

"I'm good." It wasn't an empty statement, but the truth. "How are you
and Elleth?" This was awkward, but he didn't want to avoid her
forever.

Tension that had tightened between her shoulders let some slack and
Meledei relaxed a bit. Although she remained on guard, she was
comfortable enough to reply amiably. "We are well, thank you. How
are Pierka and the baby?" Even though T'nom had run away from her and
the problems they'd had, he'd also run from Pierka and the child he'd
sired with her. For that, he'd lost even more respect.

Z'ku couldn't help a smile. "They're both wonderful. Having them in my
life is... I feel very lucky."

"Good." A smile, bright with sincerity, crept over face. Even after
the fall out with Z'ku, Meledei had never wished him ill. "I'm very
glad you've found happiness."

"Thank you." He saw her so differently now. That nasty tunnelsnake of
hurt and jealousy no longer coiled inside him. "I'm sorry things
didn't work out with you and T'nom." He could mean that, now.

"It is what it is." Meledei almost called him a coward right in front
of Z'ku, but refrained. While she wasn't happy with T'nom, that
didn't mean she should badmouth him in front of another dragonrider.
"We weren't meant to be, and I'm sure the future will present
something better."

"I wish you luck in that. Truly." He glanced up at Xemroth. The bronze
was flirting with Elleth, eyes a pleasantly whirling blue. What would
happen if he caught her next time?

Meledei wasn't sure what to say that. She knew he meant well, but she
hadn't been lucky at all. Both times she had been someone, they had
cheated on her. If they didn't want to be faithful, why be in a
relationship? She really hoped Pierka wouldn't stray with someone
like she had when she was with T'nom. "How old is the baby now?"
That, at least, was safe territory.

"Almost eight months." It was hard to believe it had been that long.
"Did you know she put a Z in his name for me?" Z'ku smiled again.
Being included like that made him feel so honored.

"I didn't, but that's awesome, and totally makes sense. You're really
his father, after all." Maybe not biologically, but Meledei could see
that Z'ku was more a part of that child's life than T'nom was, even
before he'd transferred. It had been that obvious.

Z'ku ducked his head, cheeks warming. "Thank you." Talking to her was
uncomfortable, even a little painful, but he wasn't angry at her
anymore. "Meledei, I... I accept your apology."

As he apologised, Meledei's smile softened. "I'm glad. I hated the
idea of losing your friendship, Z'ku." Even if they weren't a couple,
she still cared about him. Maybe their friendship could be repaired.

"I was... very hurt." Too hurt to forgive her wounding his heart and his pride.

"I never meant to hurt you." Yet she had, and Meledei regretted it.

"I know you didn't. You're not a malicious person." He glanced at his
washing supplies, which he hadn't even touched. Xemroth was too busy
flirting with Elleth to notice. "In a strange way I wonder if I should
thank you."

"Because of Pierka?"

His cheeks colored and he nodded.

"What's most important is that you're happy, Z'ku. I've always wanted
that." Even though they had parted on less than pleasant terms,
Meledei still wished T'nom the same. "And I'm glad you've found that
happiness."

"Thank you." He felt a little guilty for his happiness.
"Congratulations on Elleth's latest clutch, by the way."

"Thank you." Meledei echoed. "I'm glad you stopped to talk. I've
missed hanging out with you." Just because they had reconciled in a
sense didn't mean that they would resume, though, and Meledei was
aware of that. Still, it at least meant she didn't have to feel like
she needed to keep out of his way. "Please tell Pierka I said hello."

"I will, thank you." It was so much nicer to be civil and not carry
bitterness in his heart. Maybe he and Pierka could join Meledei in the
dining cavern sometime.

Last updated on the November 16th 2015

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Letting Go Of Hurt