#between cases

Pet.

Athelas's hands were badly burnt. So much so that he couldn't actually release his grip on the knives he held. Which also meant he couldn't heal until someone helped him to let go of the knives.

Someone, of course, was Zero. Since JinYeong and I had no medical training whatsoever. And also I suspected this was the kind of thing Athelas wouldn't accept from anyone other than Zero.

Pets were supposed to provide emotional support though so I stood behind Athelas's chair at the table and wrapped my arms around his shoulders while Zero sat across from him. Zero's eyes were very focussed and the furrow between his brows reached down to his nose.

"My dear, I assure you that I am not so delirious with pain that I need to be restrained for this procedure."

"It's not a restraint — it's a hug. For emotional support."

"I do not require that either."

Sure he said that, but I could feel the tension in his spine as Zero started to pry his fingers away from the hilt of the knife. He didn't really breath, as though he was afraid of the sounds that might slip out with the exhale.

Zero was very slow and methodical, but I don't think that method really worked because he was only halfway through the left hand when Athelas spoke, sounding only slightly strained.

"My lord, if you don't mind, I would prefer to have this ordeal over with as soon as possible."

Zero looked at him.

"Are you sure? It might make things worse."

"It will heal."

Zero worked more quickly after that. I felt Athelas's shoulders tighten with the effort of holding himself perfectly still and by the time we got to the last finger he let out a sound like a strangled whimper. The furrow between Zero brows was deeper than ever and I saw him weaving a faint shimmer of magic over the wounds. Since Athelas was perfectly capable of healing himself now, the magic probably wasn't necessary except for Zero's peace of mind.

He went out into the garden after bandaging Athelas's hands and I made a mental note to check on him later.

"Tea?" I asked Athelas.

"Not at present, my dear."

"Because you can't hold the teacup yourself?" I nudged him, "twisty old fae, you'll have to get used to us helping you. At least until that heals up."

"I should not like to be an inconvenience."

"Too late for that. Families are always a little inconvenient. Besides, I reckon you're more bothered about relying on others than you are about being a bother yourself."

"What decided notions you have!"

"Decided and correct."

I hugged him again before heading off to the kitchen to boil the jug. After feeding Athelas his tea, I wandered out into the garden to find Zero.

He wasn't swinging around his sword, but he was sweating slightly so he had been swinging it around recently. I plopped down on the porch next to him.

"You know, it's normal to have emotions about someone you love getting hurt."

Zero grunted, an acknowledgement rather than an agreement.

"You're allowed to feel stuff."

"It was my fault that he got hurt. He wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for me. And nothing I feel, or don't feel, can change that."

I rolled my eyes. Flaming fae and their flaming emotional repression.

I am. So convinced.

Definitely not falling in love :)

Not at all :)))

Tried to get my mojo back this month with a variety of reading options to choose from; ended up finishing The City Between and reading some smaller books. (Hey, it's better than last February.) But February has been conquered! Hopefully in March I'll have a little more mental capacity so I can finally tackle a nonfic and the historical epic I've been staring at.

Total books: 8  |  New reads: 1   |  2025 TBR completed: 1 (0 DNF) / 1/18 total   |   Total books read this year: 16

January | March