after the storm | liam & jo
@johannakoningâ
âDid you really hear that? I thought I said it lowâ Ah, yes, your hearing, goodness knows how much you have heard me say with that trick of yours. I said kak, which, well, it means much of the same thing,â she explains, laughing quietly. Again when he tries to leave, as if she will be frightened away by the sight of blood. Itâs⌠not pleasant to see, least of all because she imagines some of it as his, even if it isnât, and tries not to look too relieved that he isnât human. Any other human with blood on them like this⌠Well, she thinks they might have died and such a thing brings a faltering in her steps before she clears her throat, continuing on. Let it be mistaken for confusion at the idea of his brother. She didnât even know he had a brother! âYour brother did this to you? I am starting to think nobody in Lethe has a close relationship with their family.â Jo is unable to keep the note of bafflement from her voice. Her choice not to pry into things and avoid bringing attention upon herself is often forgotten in Liamâs presence, and she has several more brimming on her tongue. Later, she decides, squeezing his hand in thanks at the reminder that wasnât forgotten, a small part of her thinking just that until he says otherwise. Anything else she can handle â almost anything else. âYou sold the Richmond? You loved that ship, you loved the sea. Any stop in port we made, you never looked fully comfortable unless we were on the deck and setting sail again.â It surprises her, and she glances over her shoulder, damn near walking into a pole in her confusion, correcting her course at the last second with heated cheeks. Another squeeze of his hand, sheâs feeling bold. âYou have no obligation to tell me anything, but I am relieved you would have eventually. Maybe⌠Well, maybe it was something you needed to do without anything hanging over your head?â she offers, opening the door to her home and tugging him inside. Her own shoes are kicked off to the side without much thought, and she reluctantly lets go of his hand to flip on the light. Thereâs no excuse to hold it anymore, much as she wants to do so. Jo hurries away in hopes of preventing that thought from crossing her face. âMagic is good in a pinch, you know, but a towel will help, too, to mop up the worst of it from you. I do have a shower, but⌠Well, I suppose I could try my hand at magic for your clothes, I am afraid I have nothing for men.â Sheâs more amused than not by the idea of Liam parading around her home wearing a blanket, the only thing of hers capable of covering him. The twinkle in her eye makes the though clear, but it turns a touch serious. âYou are not hurt anywhere?â
âOnly a brother of sorts.â Heâs quick to correct, perhaps quicker than he should be. Family are meant to stick side by side, arenât they? But Daniel and Mary, well, theyâve hardly been consistent family to him. Consistent sources of trouble, maybe. Edmund wouldâve been ashamed by Liamâs inclination to distance himself... but Edmundâs not around anymore. Thatâs a reminder heâs got to keep in mind, so easy to forget and so hard to stomach. For now, though, Liam simply shrugs. âFamilyâs like that, I suppose.â At least his had always been. âIâm realizing I donât know much about yours, besides that cousin... Eve, was it?â No, thatâs not it, but he just gives a halfhearted smile. It becomes something more wholesome when his hand is squeezed, his sidelong glance turning into something full on. Itâs nice to see her, isnât it? Her shock shakes things up a bit, and Liam sighs. âI did.â Does he regret it? Maybe heâll live to. But it was something heâd mulled over for longer than heâd care to admit. After all, wasnât this what heâd always wanted? Somewhere to dock, to call home permanently, other than the worn floors of his ship. The assumption makes him laugh and itâs a heavy sound, punctuated by a hand running down his jaw, but he nods. âItâll be an adjustment, Iâm sure. Sort of feeling like it is already. But itâs what I had to do.â Heâs quickly reminded about the importance of a real home upon entering Joâs, and his gaze travels, taking in the details. It causes him to miss the moment where her hand pulls away, but his eyes move to watch Jo then, missing the contact already. âHm? Oh. Well.â Heâs certainly worse for wear, and runs a hand against the nape of his neck, suddenly embarrassed. âI... well, the clothes I can handle myself. Unless youâre really willing. I could always just... wash up, though. Best that I can.â Her mischievous glance isnât missed, and Liam feels his smile return some, though it wavers at her concern. âOh, Iâll be alright. He got me a few times, but nothing that wonât heal quickly. Daniel can throw a decent punch, but Iâm pretty well off as far as healing goes.â After a clearing of his throat, Liam shuffles forward, glad to see heâs not tracking blood anywhere. âA towel, though, that might be nice. Or I could always, ah... wash up in the sink, I suppose.â












