#screechowl79

Nessa is four when Asta and Tau first visit them. Blaine and Kurt arrange their children in a neat row, Lizzy first, then Kysh, then Nessa. Eli is a bundle in his arms. Asta and Tau step out of the carriage and Kurt almost laughs and cries, all at once, because, on one hand, they are dressed in Daltonian fashion. And on the other, Tau is seven and he is so grown. Kurt's heart aches.

"You must be so uncomfortable," Blaine says to them, and embraces Asta tightly. "It is so good to see you."

Asta returns the embrace, and says back, "As it is to see you, Blaine of Dalton."

Kurt watches as Blaine also embraces a nervous looking Tau. "You have grown quite a bit since I last saw you," Blaine tell him, giving his shoulder a squeeze.

"It is an honor to meet you, highness." Tau says, still uncertain. 

"Call me Blaine," Blaine tells him, "Well- when you were an infant I told you to call me 'Uncle Blaine', but that seems a bit presumptuous now. So just Blaine, don't you think?"

"Blaine," Tau repeats carefully and offers a small smile.

Kurt transfers Eli from his arms to Mercedes', and hugs Asta. "You look well." 

"I am. And you, Kurt?" She asks, holding him at arm’s length.

He smiles, and straightens out his tunic. "I am very well. Come and meet our family."

He introduces the children one-by-one.

To Lizzy, Asta says, "Last time I saw your fathers, you were but a seed in your papa's belly."

Lizzy's eyes are wide an interested. "Papa says you fight like a dragon,” She murmurs, “He says you’re fierce.”

“Well,” Asta smiles, tugging on one of Lizzy’s dark curls, “I try my best. Perhaps I’ll show you how while I am here. Would you like that?” When Lizzy nods enthusiastically, she laughs, and moves on to Kysh, her eyes big and sad. She presses a kiss to his forehead and strokes his hair for a moment. “You’re a fierce one too. I can tell. How old are you now, little love?”

“Five, m’lady.” Kysh says shyly, twisting on the spot.

“Five? My, you’ve grown fast. Soon you’ll be all grown up.”

He smiles, huge, and nods. Asta looks to Nessa, in her favorite dress, with blue slippers on her feet and her hair a neat braid. “And you are so beautiful, little one.”

“Thank you, m’lady,” Nessa replies, twisting and holding the edges of her dress.

Tau bows to Nessa, stiff and northern in style, and she curtsies back. They’re both quiet, clearly shy, and Kurt doesn’t know what to do to make it better, to make it easier for either of them.

“Will you play tea party with me?” She asks, sudden and unabashed.

Tau blinks at her, surprised, and then says, quietly: “Yes.”