[o] The sky is falling

Kaisel

Despite the fact he's already done it, there's still a flutter of nerves that rise like startled birds through him. Part of it's the absolute thrill of the truth, that he and Flora will share their lives together, that he's so excited to finally tell everyone just how important she is to him. Kaisel is not good at holding onto the sorts of things that should bring happiness—it's why he should never be in charge of surprises when possible, and has nearly given away Flora's birthday gift several times, same as he pre-proposed to her in all his enthusiasm. He also isn't good at tiptoing around the threads of too many woven lies, more likely to just walk right through the web, but he's not entirely a bull in a china shop either. He's spent enough of his youth sneaking around rules and uptight family members (Koa sometimes included), and he's bitten his tongue and swallowed his outrage plenty of times for the sake of others. Whatever brings the most happiness is usually the route he prefers to take.

The other part of that flock flapping through him is the reality that what he's done, real as it is, hasn't been done right, and he still means to amend that. Her fathers could still disapprove. He could still fumble on the aisle before all their friends and family, loving her only part of the performance in a wedding. She is worth so much to him, that to be able equally as worthy is it's own weight to raise up in front of everyone important. Worse, he's willingly bearing that weight, knowing she'd be content with exactly what they have as it is now.

"Before the end of the season," Kaisel says with only the faintest shake to his voice, the clock's tick suddenly overwhelming. "As soon as everyone's settled, I plan to ask her fathers for permission. Assuming they, and she say yes," he flashes a faint grin, knowing with certainty at least one answer, "then from there, maybe a wedding in Deepfrost, or this time next year." That'd give them time to plan and organize it all, get their rings organized, though he shrugs, not having thought quite that far yet. "That'll be up to her, I guess. Or, we'll talk about it, but she's the pro party planner." He chuckles softly, one hand slipping free from behind his head to thump softly at Koa's abs. "So, you've got some time to get your muscle suit in order."

He's swept easily into Koa's embrace, going without any resistance and a laugh that's more an expression of joy than humor. "Good," he asserts, and doesn't lift up the rug any further than that. He's softened though at hearing Koa's foundation remains as sure as he always thought it was. Brother the more accurate term for how he's always felt for his cousin, just as Noe is his sister truly. It's a melted edge that's more than relief. Love and loyalty hum as strong as ever, but given a clearer path, they feel like a reckless force in the current barrelling through him. "Because I agree, and it's been shit this whole time that we've been off." Family has always been a part of his heart, hell, they shaped it all these years. His love for them is not diminished now, but if they built his framework, Flora has filled it. He's full with adoration for all of them.

Straightening out his step as Koa's hand falls away, Kaisel's gaze washes over the wary way Koa tugs through his hair. It's all the answer he really needs. "Bruh," Kaisel sighs, shaking his head and pocketing his hands "Dude, I know you like Ludo and all, but you really gotta stop with the trying to be a ghost shit. Not talking has literally never helped." Given their own bout of silence, and the way Koa tumbles into work like an escape, Kaisel's brows give a pointed message as he stares at his cousin. "Well," he sighs loud and long, toe skipping a rock down the path with his stride. "If you really want on that ship, you better get fucking swimming ASAP. Otherwise...if you never got on because you weren't sure where you were going, maybe don't watch it sail away, yeah?"

You was talkin' shit in the beginning
Back when I was feelin' more forgivin'
I know it piss you off to see me winnin'

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

KOA

Before the end of the season. It feels so fast to Koa's mind, but that's always been a difference between Kaisel and him. While Koa is measuring the depth of the water his cousin will already have dove in head first, and though the Dragoon might fear for his cousin's safety, the truth is the kid has yet to break his neck. So maybe there's something to be said for plunging in recklessly, for letting go of inhibitions and Nike'ing the fuck up. "Well, sounds like I better get to work on planning your bachelor party," he laughs back playfully, already thinking about possible plans.

And here's Koa's overabundance of caution coming back to bite him in the butt. "First of all," he says, holding up a hand, "I do not like Ludo. My mom liked Ludo. I have a healthy amount of respect." Read: fear. "And second... yeah, yeah, I know." Jokes out of the way, Koa sighs. "It's just... I don't want to expect anything, y'know? Soh has every right to hate me, and I don't wanna fuck up any chance of being friends. But I know I need to talk to her," he adds quickly, trying to head off any further chiding, "And I will. As soon as everything is settled, it's the first thing on my list."

But that's all heavy emotional stuff, and Koa wants to focus on their repaired relationship, on erasing the last of the shadows between himself and his cousin. "Anyway, back to your bachelor party!" And as they go to get their ice cream he'll continue rattling off plans, most of them unhinged with a goal of getting his cousin to laugh.

[fin]

Let me go, I don't wanna be your hero
I don't wanna be a big man
Just wanna fight with everyone else

Code stolen from Queen Sky