Slowly turning around I wasn't sure how to process the emotions running through me. I hoped when I saw Spider for the first time it would be easy. That my brain would be able to tell me the best course of action. It didn't. It was just blank.

"Nin!" As Spider laid his eyes on me he beamed with excitement. He had grown, he looked more mature but he was still small to me. I had seen Spider as my brother. As someone, I could trust. My mind was constantly replying all the happy times we had together. Now I wasn't sure what I saw him as. He started making his way towards me his steps faltering as he saw my blank expression. Flashes of his father's face raced through my mind. All I could see was the fact that the man in front of me saved the man that killed my brother. 

"Nin?" he questioned. Everyone frowned at me unsure of what I was doing. Taking a deep breath I squashed all the emotions deep down as I kneeled. Coming face to face with him I wasn't sure if I wanted to stab him or hug him.

"Nin?" he questioned again. 

"It's good to see you, monkey boy," I whispered. In the end, my better nature won. He smiled moving forward to hug me. I returned the hug my mind screaming that this would be the perfect chance to punged my knife deep into his heart. But I couldn't do it. 

"Come on you guys! Foods ready!" Dad called. Spider grinned at me before rushing off with Kiri to get food. Standing a shaky breath left my lips.

"Sylwanin?" Aonung whispered in questioning stepping up to my side.

"I'm fine," I whispered forcing a smile going to approach the others.

"Sylwanin," he wasn't falling for it. His hand gently intertwined with mine as he pulled me back. I avoided his gaze huffing. He gently hooked his finger under my chin lifting it and forcing me to look at him. 

"What troubles you?" he asked. My eyes flickered to the happy atmosphere of our families.

"Not now. Let us just enjoy this moment," I said. He followed my gaze and nodded understandingly.

"If you wish," he said. I nodded forcing a smile and walked to join the rest of the family. And we enjoyed the evening. Eating, laughing, and simply savoring the moment. 

Later that night I lay on my back I absentmindedly played with my song cord humming the verses coming to a stop at a certain section. Moving past it I hummed the last cord.

"Sylwanin," Aonung whispered pulling me tighter into his side.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" I asked rolling over till my head rested on his shoulder. 

"No, I have been waiting till you are ready to talk," he said simply opening his eyes and smiling down at me. I thought for a moment reaching up to brush my fingers under his chin.

"Quaritch is alive," my words had Aonung's body tensing up his features darkening.

"How do you know?" he asked. My mouth moved as I tried to force words from it. As I tried to explain I found the words falling short.

"Promise you won't be angry," I begged. He sat up at the request knowing that whatever I would say next would definitely make him mad. Slowly sitting up I sighed grasping his hand and avoiding his gaze.

"For some time I was a prisoner of the sky people," I whispered. Aonung lips pressed together as he fought off a hiss, his ears flattening.

"Sylwanin," his tone held disappointment, not in me but in himself. 

"It was only a short time. The lawyer's Norm was talking about quickly got me released," I quickly interjected. Silence wafted over us as my thumbs brushed against the back of Aonungs palm.

"Did they hurt you?" he asked already knowing the answer. He just needed to hear me say it. 

"Yes," I whispered a hiss of disgust and anger left his lips as his tail whipped around furiously. 

"Where?" he demanded an answer. I knew if I told him the exact spot he would look over it fushing if he saw any marks.

"It left no scars. But they had this machine. And these sticks," I closed my eyes remembering the pain that jolteded through my body.

"Why did you not tell us?" he asked.

"And have you die trying to save me?" I asked finally looking up at him. In his eyes I saw a turmoil of guilt and grief.

"I was so worried they would use me against you all. I couldn't let that happen," I shook my head. 

"So you lied?" he asked bewildered by my logic. He could understand to a point. If the position was switched he wouldn't want me getting hurt because of him. But still.

"No, no. I was safe. I was with the village. I was happy. Things just changed," I murmured. 

"We must tell your father," he said going to stand but I pulled him back down. 

"No, not yet. Let him have one more night of peace please," I begged. Aonung's will was helpless to my pleas. Sitting back down he pressed his lips together cupping my face. 

"No more keeping secrets. I am you mate. We share our burdens equally," he said taking on a serious tone. I nodded. He was right, getting it off my chest felt good. And we were mates. My troubles were his and vice versa. 

"I know," I whispered.

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" he asked. I pondered for a moment hating the heavy air around us.

"Today has been the happiest day of my life," I grinned. He sighed shaking his head but smiling nonetheless. And just like that all the tension left us.

"And why would that be?" he asked dropping his head down to rest against mine.

"Oh, I don't know. Just because," I shrugged cheekily.

"Well, I can tell you why it's the happiest day in my life," he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Really. Then what makes this the happiest day in your life?" I asked.

"Today I married the woman I am utterly and helplessly in love with," he said. Aonung could still make me blush as he did when we were teenagers. Smiling warmly I ducked my head trying to hide the blush.

"Plus my mother made her famous dish so," he grinned mischievously. I playfully slapped his chest earning a chuckle. His chuckle died off as his eyes found my tattooed shoulder a swell of happiness and pride bursting through him as he studied it.

"Like what you see?" I asked.

"It's a bit wonky here," he said pointing to a spot. 

"What?" I asked in shock. My worry was quickly washed away by his mechiviouse chuckle. I went to go slap him gently again when he caught my hand. 

"My wife," he whispered more to himself. Bring my hand up to his lips he placed a gentle kiss upon my knuckles.

"My husband," I whispered earning a bright smile from him.

"Has a nice ring to it doesn't it?" he asked.

"I suppose it does," I nodded.

"I see you. Sylwanin," he whispered.

"I see you, Aonung," I whispered back. Grinning he leaned in capturing my lips in a sweet kiss that quickly became anything but sweet. A small giggle left my lips as he guided us down to the bed.

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