he echoes her words, dark brow arching at the place where his sister sits, arms crossed against his chest. aleksei is keenly aware of aidan’s presence but his eyes have averted him from the moment he felt that presence. he hasn’t been able to face aidan since he felt those powers slip from him in blessed relief— hasn’t been able to look into those gold eyes with the understanding that he has now. ( doesn’t want to talk about it, doesn’t want to have to deal with it— if we were to wait long enough, some new catastrophe would have distracted our minds and brought us together without mention of it. ) “i didn’t realize we were at war. you really have to let me know when we’re warring, genya. i hate not knowing things.”
there’s something a little funny about it— the meager short loaf in her hands and the curse that falls from her lips— and the corner of his mouth twitches into that signature smirk. “what— this? really, gen, it borders on too much. you didn’t have to go through all this trouble.” his teasing is gentle and there’s a laugh in his tone, his arms uncrossing from his chest and swinging by his sides as he crossed the space to where genya sat. she needed to see them and that’s what had brought him to the rooftop to begin with— there wouldn’t ever be a time when genya called for him that he wouldn’t answer. plopping himself onto the rooftop with practiced grace, he props a knee and rests his elbow on it while his other leg stretches out, still avoiding aidan’s eyes and instead focusing on genya, “well, you’ve got us here.”
Aidan was confused, why would this be a peace offering? Had she done something bad? Was there something wrong? Besides the fact that over the years they had all drifted apart. He was well aware of it, but it was something he had accepted already. He was way older than his siblings and drifting apart was sometimes a part of growing up even though he wished it wasn’t like that. For years Aleksei didn’t need Aidan’s help anymore and Genya avoided them because of her powers, he assumed. He wished it was different, but there was nothing much he could do, he didn’t want to force them into meeting and liking each other. At least lately Aleksei didn’t seem to push Aidan away, but after the ability swap something changed and Aidan didn’t see his brother anymore. And even here there hadn’t been a single glance in his direction from Aleksei. It hurt Aidan, but there was nothing much he could do. Whatever it was, Aidan assumed he needed some space and time.
He looked away from Aleksei and focused on Genya. “Don’t worry, it’s all good,” he assured with a warm, appreciative smile. “It is very sweet of you,” his smile grew even wider as he sat down on the rooftop near them, but just a little bit behind Aleksei giving him space. To be honest, he was slightly worried as to why she wanted to meet them both. With all the shit that had happened, Aidan was starting to expect the worst whenever something happened. He truly wished it wasn’t the case here. His golden eyes were on Genya, hoping whatever she wanted to say was something good.
❝ the cooks aren’t my biggest fans . ❞ is her deadpan response . she takes up little space as she leans back against the wall , pulling her knees up against her chest . it’s a defensive position , one to make her appear small . her cheeks gain a reddish pigment at the words of her brothers .
with them , she can be something different than a lioness . for them , she will become a cub once more - even if her claws might remain sharp , and her ear may listen to all around them . it is a part they play , like any other . genya has not been genya frey in many years , and so to shove themselves into this role is no easy feat .
❝ i feared the worst . when uh , with the transferences . ❞ is that what they were called ? she knows not but , she knows enough to know that her siblings would have been affected . and with her abilities stolen from her at the time , she could not do much for it . now , though they are returned , she is displeased to see the tears in the thread that holds her brothers’ relationship to one another , made worse by how they sit apart . ❝ have . . . have you two been fighting ? and before you respond , remember it is no use lying to me . ❞ / @mightyecho + @thcwandcrcr