Together, but Not

Writers: Devin, Miriah
Date Posted: 29th June 2013

Characters: J'kri, Paetri
Description: J'kri and Paetri spend some time together, but separated.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 27 of Turn 7

Just out of the bath, Paetri moved to her small cot to check on
Camilth in her wallow. The little green was curled up, Marli snuggled
beside her to share warmth; the sight made Paetri's face soften. She
gave them both a soft pat before moving to sit on her small bed. With
a practiced hand, she unwrapped the towel from around her hair and
shook it free, letting the dark strands fall over her shoulders and
down to her waist. It was rarely loose like this, and for a moment,
she took the time to finger the long strands. She'd yet to cut it; she
didn't know if she could bear the thought.

With a soft sigh, she rummaged around for her brush and began the long
process of brushing the mass smooth and dry.

J'kri was leading Rademerth to the barracks and looking forward to a
bit of free time when the blue was asleep. When he saw Paetri, he
paused.

}:What is that you feel?:{ Rademerth asked.

J'kri controlled his thoughts. **Nothing. Time to get to sleep.** He
smiled and said to Paetri, "Talk about letting your hair down."

She hadn't heard him approach and looked up, her face half concealed
by a dark curtain. "J'kri." She offered a smile and continued brushing
her hair studiously. It was a long process and one she was well
familiar with. But her eyes were warm as he approached. "It's a bit
off a mess right now."

"It's beautiful." He laid a hand on Rademerth's head almost absently.
He had to remember he had a dragon and had to watch his thoughts.

There was an immediate flush to her cheeks and her hand stilled as she
looked up to meet his gaze. "Thank you." She pushed her hair behind
her shoulders, but fingered one long strand and looked at it frowning.
"D'ret thinks I should cut it. Do you think maybe..." She sighed and
shrugged her shoulders, then noticed the bit of distance he seemed to
have. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just ... there are certain things I'm trying not to think
about because we're weyrlings." He smiled. "Your hair is beautiful and
you're beautiful ..." J'kri laughed. "It's going to be a long few
months."

}:Your mind is strange and I am tired.:{ Rademerth wandered over to
the male side of the barracks and flopped down.

She blinked and then understanding dawned on her and she flushed
brighter. "Oh." Her lips quivered in a smile and an impish light
appeared in her eyes. "I can imagine it will be." She flicked her eyes
pointedly towards where D'ret's cot also was. She suddenly giggled.
"I'm sorry. I know it must be difficult for you." She shifted slightly
on her cot, her eyes followed the little blue before sliding over her
own green. "I miss you too, you know." It had only been one kiss, but
it had been her only one and she had liked it.

Faranth, when she blushed like that it made him want to kiss her. "I'm
glad we're all suffering at the same time," he joked. "And don't cut
your hair. I mean, I don't think you should."

There was a long pause and then Paetri took a long breath. "J'kri, can
I ask you a question?"

"Of course." He sat on the cot next to hers. There were a lot of empty
cots in the barracks with such a small clutch.

She turned to face him, but her hands reached to stroke her hair much
like she gripped her braid when she was particularly nervous and then
licked her lips. The question had been eating at her for some time.
"Well..I..uhm.." She cleared her throat. "uhm..." It finally burst out
of her. "Do you like me because I'm shaped like a boy?"

His eyes went wide and he stared. The question was so absurd he didn't
know what to say. "Shaped like a boy?" he repeated. "I never thought
of you like that."

Paetri lifted her head. "You didn't? I just thought that since..." She
glanced down. The weight she had gained had thankfully added a bit
more substance to her meager bosom, but it certainly anything that
would be considered an overabundance. She looked back up. "...well,
you know...you like D'ret too and..." Her voice trailed off and tugged
on her hair. "I don't know. I just wanted to know."

"Well I like girls, too, you know." He smiled a little. "I like you
because you're smart and sweet, and I think you're beautiful." If only
he could kiss her, hold her ... J'kri clamped down on those thoughts.
Rademerth was asleep but he still had to be careful.

For a moment, all she wanted to do was go over to that cot and lean
against him, hold his hand. Camilth stirred and she bit back a sigh.
Instead she simply gazed at him with barely hidden wistfulness. Never
before had she missed just the simple comfort of a touch like this.
She looked away and down. "I hate this part, you know. Not being able
to be close. I guess I always took it for granted."

He reached out a hand. "We can still hold hands. We can still be
friends, we just can't be more than that right now. It's hard to enjoy
all the freedom at the Weyr and then have it taken away." It was hard
with Paetri but it was even harder with D'ret. He knew exactly how
good it felt to be with him.

She looked up, saw his hand and then slowly placed her own in his. His
hand was warm and comforting. She licked her lips for a moment and her
brow knit as she stared at their joined hands. Her voice was soft.
"Are we more than friends, J'kri?"

"Yes," he said softly.

She licked her lips again and wound her fingers with his own. "Good."
She paused and took a slow breath. "So...when Camilth is old
enough..." She flushed again. "I'll need your help."

He let out a long breath and squeezed her hand. "I was hoping you'd
ask that." He couldn't think too hard about what that meant, although
his mind definitely wanted to go there.

Her gaze darted toward him and the flush stayed on her cheeks, but she
nodded. It was difficult for her to speak about, much less ask about.
The thought of doing _that_ ,even with him, was a terrifying one for
her. Like him, she had to shut down those thoughts, if only to keep
Camilth from waking to her own fears. "Okay."

"Now we should probably change the subject," he said with a nervous
laugh. This was killing him.

She pulled her hand away and nodded with an embarrassed little smile.
"Yeah. Lets do that." She cleared her throat. "Sorry."

J'kri searched for something safe. "So, now you get to continue
training as a dragonhealer."

She perked up. "Yes. Yes I do." Her smile brightened. "I'll work with
W'ser as much as I can. I really enjoy that, you know. It's something
I'm good at."

"You'll be a Master someday." He smiled.

She returned his smile. "I hope."

Last updated on the June 29th 2013

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Together, but Not